Partey time as Atletico go top
MADRID: Substitute Thomas Partey scored his first La Liga goal as Atletico Madrid beat bottom club Levante 1-0 to go top of the table on Saturday.
Hosts Atletico lacked a finishing touch in front of goal until Partey struck nine minutes from the end with a shot that squirmed away from keeper Diego Marino.
“The team is playing well and anyone could have got the goal,” the 22-year-old Partey told reporters. “I am still learning and by working hard I am having more chances to play.”
They jumped to the top spot as Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Espanyol. Atletico have 41 points, two more than Barca who have a game in hand.
Saul Niguez almost gave Atletico the lead inside two minutes with a near-post header from a corner that went just over the crossbar. Jackson Martinez had an effort well saved by Marino before defender Stefan Savic nodded the ball against the top of the bar from a corner. At the other end Verza had a golden chance to put Levante in front on the half hour but fired wide.
Atletico midfielder Koke then cracked a half-volley against the underside of the bar from 25 metres after 54 minutes and a cross from Luciano Vietto also thumped the woodwork.
The home side’s attempts were becoming ever more desperate before Partey, on the pitch for seven minutes, burst through the centre of the penalty area to slot the ball over the line. SIMEONE DEMANDS IMPROVEMENT
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has demanded more from his side in the second half of the season despite looking down on Spanish football’s perennial powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Atletico’s success so far this season has been built on a rock solid defence that has conceded just eight goals in 18 league games
And Simeone is well aware his side need more firepower to have any chance of repeating their incredible feat of beating Barca and Madrid to the title two years ago.
“We have one game to go until the end of the first half of the sea son, but leading the league will not distract us from the improvements we need,” said Simeone. “I think we can play better, have more speed in our game, be more decisive, con sistent, make better choices in the final third and score more goals That is what concerns me.