Griezmann among goals again as Atletico eases past Celta

MADRID: In-form Antoine Griezmann scored one goal and made another as Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 win their grip on second place.

Griezmann opened the scoring just before the break at the Wanda Metropolitano with his 16th goal of the season in La Liga, his 11th in the last nine games.

The France star, who continues to be linked with a summer move to Barcelona, then set up Vitolo to make it 2-0 before Angel Correa, on as a substitute, wrapped up the points for Diego Simeone’s side.

It was a seventh win in eight La Liga outings for Atletico, the exception being last weekend’s 1-0 loss at Barcelona.

As a result, the 2014 champions remain eight points behind league clear of Real Madrid in third. Celta are ninth, with 10 games remaining.

Barcelona was 2-0 winners at Malaga Coutinho on target, as Lionel Messi missed the game to attend the birth of his third child.

Meanwhile, Real won 2-1 at Eibar thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace. take things one game at a time and Simeone of his side’s title chances. able to speak about something more.” minute before the break as he controlled the ball at the back post following a corner and showed some brilliant footwork to take a Celta defender out of the game

He turned provider in the 56th minute with a pass for Vitolo, who beat Ruben Blanco in the Celta goal Vitolo’s last three goals in La Liga have now been for three different teams

Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann (right) challenges Celta Vigo’s Slovak milfielder Stanislav Lobotka (left) and Celta Vigo’s Chilean midfielder Pedro Pablo Hernandez during the Spanish league football match between Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid. then scored for Las Palmas against Celta earlier this season.

Correa came in for Vitolo just before the hour and got on the score sheet four after his initial effort had been blocked. It was Atletico’s second 3-0 win scoreline in their Europa League last - turn this midweek, before visiting

Villarreal are sixth after a 2-0 win at struggling Las Palmas, secured thanks to a second-half Carlos Bacca strike and a - no got the winner, his 12th goal Sociedad 2-1, and Raul Garcia’s brace gave Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 win over Leganes.