Dogged Atletico stretch La Liga lead with Sevilla victory
MADRID: Atletico Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points on Tuesday after a 2-0 win over Sevilla that strengthened their title credentials.
Goals in each half from Angel Correa and substitute Saul Niguez on a freezing night following historic snowfall in the Spanish capital allowed Diego Simeone’s side to increase the gap between themselves and city rivals Real Madrid.
The match at the Wanda Metropolitano was one of three games in hand that Atletico had on Madrid and Barcelona.
Their home fixture with Athletic Bilbao at the weekend had to be postponed after Madrid experienced its heaviest snowfall in half a century.
“I’m very happy to help the team with this goal... the work pays off,” said Saul after the win.
Sevilla, meanwhile, stay sixth on 30 points, level with fifth-placed Real Sociedad, who hosted Barcelona last night.
Kieran Trippier returned to the Atletico side after Fifa suspended the England international’s 10-week ban for breaching betting rules.
And the 30-year-old marked his comeback by helping Correa open the scoring in the 17th minute.
Sevilla pushed a typically dogged Atletico but couldn’t take advantage of the few chances they had and were punished with 14 minutes remaining by Saul’s first goal of the season.
“We came here to win and I think we played a good game but Atletico are the best team in the world when it comes to managing both areas well,” Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui said.
“They manage to convince their players, who are of the highest level, to spend a long time in their own area defending and then they are very good in the opposing area.”