Atletico gets big win over Granada

LA LIGA RESULTS

 

Saturday, November 17
Osasuna	0-0	Malaga
Valencia	2-1	Espanyol
Barcelona	3-1	Real Zaragoza
Real Madrid	5-1	Athletic Bilbao
Sunday, November 18
Deportivo	0-2	Levante
Celta de Vigo	1-1	Mallorca
Getafe	2-1	Rayo Valladolid
Granada	0-1	Atletico Madrid
Sevilla	5-1	Real Betis
More: Scores | Stats | La Liga

 

Ten-man Atletico Madrid stayed in the chase for the Spanish league lead by beating Granada 1-0 thanks to Arda Turan's second-half goal on Sunday, while Sevilla destroyed Real Betis 5-1 in a lopsided Seville derby.

Suarez was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after handling the ball, leaving his team-mates to see out the last 20 minutes with only 10 men.

Atletico, who cut the gap on Primera Division leaders Barcelona to three points with the win, were already a goal ahead by then as Turan finished off Jorge Koko's cross.

Granada had the first chance of the game but Guilherme Siqueira's shot sailed over the bar.

Gabriel Torje's floated free-kick set up Youssef El Arabi but his header was wide.

Atletico first threatened after 15 minutes but a Adrian's strike from distance was tipped round the post by Antonio Tono, who then palmed over from a Diego Godin header as the visitors continued to threaten.

Torje saw his shot from long distance blocked by Gabi, who then fouled the Granada midfielder and the same player's free-kick found Guilherme Siqueira whose shot from close range was saved by Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois.

The home side twice went close, with the frame of the goal coming to Atletico's rescue.

With 34 minutes on the clock a right-footed shot by Torje sent the ball crashing against the post and Yacine Brahimi then shot over the bar.

Radamel Falcao had been quiet but three minutes before the break the Atletico Madrid forward came to life, although his shot from 30 yards dipped over the bar.

Atletico continued to push forward after the interval and they took the lead on the hour through Turan.

Koko crossed from the right and Turan hit a left foot shot into the bottom corner from close range.

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Falcao could have doubled the lead eight minutes later but volleyed wide.

Atletico were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes to go when Suarez picked up a second yellow card for deliberate handball.

Falcao tried his luck from distance with 10 minutes to go but his free-kick was beaten away by Tono as Atletico took the win.