Spot-on Atlético triumph in Granada

A penalty apiece from Diego Costa and David Villa condemned Granada CF to defeat and earned second-placed Club Atlético de Madrid their tenth win in 11 Liga games this season.

Costa was presented with the opportunity to score his 12th league goal of the campaign seven minutes before the break when Granada captain Diego Mainz barged into the back of Villa.

The Spain striker rubber-stamped the outcome with little under a quarter of an hour remaining, picking himself up to beat Roberto from the spot after he had been fouled by Jeison Murillo. Odion Ighalo's late header, a minute after Atlético defender Filipe Luis had been dismissed for a second booking, was mere consolation for the hosts.

The away victory enabled the Rojiblancos to close to within a point of leaders FC Barcelona, who welcome RCD Espanyol on Friday. Getafe CF, meanwhile, remain sixth after inflicting fourth-placed Villarreal CF's first reverse at El Madrigal this term, Ciprian Marica and Pablo Sarabia on target in a 2-0 success.

Athletic Club, positioned directly between those teams, rallied from two down to draw 2-2 with mid-table Elche CF in Bilbao. There were no goals between Real Betis Balompié and Levante UD in Seville.