Atletico welcomed bottom-placed Deportivo La Coruna to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
An uneventful opening 20 minutes brought few chances for either side, but goals from Diego Costa and a Radamel Falcao double secured a 3-0 lead for Atletico at the interval.
Falcao scored his third from the penalty spot after 64 minutes, while he added his fourth and then fifth in a quite sensational second period.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Atletico suffered disappointment against capital rivals Real Madrid last weekend, but they will attempt to get back on track this evening with a home fixture against struggling Deportivo. Both sides are in need of the points, but for very different reasons.
Teams:
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Godin, Luis, Diaz, Juanfran; Suarez, Koke, Turan, Gabi; Falcao, Costa
Deportivo: Aranzubia; Laure, Ayoze, Roderick, Insua; Bergantinos, Aguilar, Camunas, Valeron; Riki, Gama
Atletico’s incredible start to the season would have seen them top the standings at this stage in almost every recent La Liga season. But despite winning 11 of their 14 matches thus far, they still trail leaders Barcelona by six points. That gap could temporarily be cut to three with victory this evening.
Deportivo, meanwhile, could find themselves adrift of the pack with the winter break approaching. They have scored goals this season, but their untidiness at the back has seen them in the relegation zone. In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won three of the previous five matches, with Deportivo picking up a singular win in that period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. A home crowd that expects? Check. My prediction is a 3-0 home win. I just cannot see any possible way how Deportivo secure something from this match.
Atletico get the action underway on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. They will be keen to bounce back from last week's disappointment against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Deportivo will attempt to move off bottom spot with the three points. The home side have taken control of the ball in the early stages, as expected.
Half-chance for the away side as Valeron feeds Riki on the edge of the penalty area. The striker releases a powerful attempt on goal, but Juanfran blocks the danger for a corner. Meanwhile, the resulting set piece from Camunas is poor and the danger is cleared.
CHANCE! Golden opportunity for the home side to take the lead as Falcao drives into the penalty area. The Colombian is challenged by Laure, but it falls to Gabi and the midfielder can only fire wide of the target. You just get the feeling that there will be goals in this one.
Another half-chance comes to Deportivo as Valeron fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Juanfran is on hand to clear the danger. Another opportunity falls from the resulting corner, but Bruno Gama cannot make proper contact and it drifts behind for a goal kick.
It hasn't been quite the explosive start we expected from Atletico. However, they have started to gain control of the possession in the past few moments. You just get the feeling that the first goal could open the floodgates against this struggling Deportivo defence.
Another half-chance for Deportivo as Valeron stands over a free kick outside the penalty area, but his effort is straight into the wall and out for a throw. Another cross follows immediately after, but Cata Diaz rises highest in the box to clear the danger.
Not a great deal happening in terms of attacking intent at the moment with both sides exchanging spells of possession in midfield. Meanwhile, an injury to Insua has also interrupted the tempo of the match. It has been what I would describe as a "bitty" opening 13 minutes.
My eyes are fully focused on Falcao this evening. I know he has scored a lot of goals recently, but he has not been too impressive in recent weeks. He has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of stature, but in my opinion he is a million miles away from the Real Madrid attacker. Watch him now score five goals this evening!
Slightly better from Atletico in the past couple of minutes with Falcao and Costa beginning to link in advanced areas, but the final pass has just eluded them thus far. Meanwhile, Deportivo are certainly a threat on the counter with the movement of Riki.
The first yellow card of the match is handed to Bergantinos as the defender fells Costa outside the penalty area. However, in keeping with the match thus far, the free kick is wasted and moves wide of the post. We are still waiting for this match to really light up.
Falcao's frustrations continue as he is ruled offside twice within two minutes. It just isn't quite happening for either side in attack at the moment. Atletico have started to control possession of the ball, but they have not been at their fluent best in the opening 21 minutes.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the home side to take the lead as Juanfran pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area, but his effort is just wide of the post. That was clearly the best chance of the match thus far. More of the same please.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Costa)
Atletico take the lead with 23 minutes on the clock as Costa rises highest in the penalty area to thump his header into the back of the net. You cannot say that it has been coming, but the home side have looked the more likely.
You just get the feeling that Deportivo have to keep in the match in this first period. They have been known to ship goals in spells during a 90 minutes and another for Atletico could be crucial, even this early. But they do have players who can cause teams problems.
Decent period of possession for Deportivo in the past few moments, but they have thus far been unable to find Riki and Bruno Gama in advanced areas. Atletico are holding a high line at the moment and it is squeezing the play into midfield. The problem with Deportivo is that they don't have anyone lightening quick in their side.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Falcao)
What was I saying about staying in the match? And about Falcao? Well the Colombian has just doubled the home side's lead as he collects a pass from Gabi before firing into the back of the net with a cool finish.
Deportivo could be in real trouble here. They have been struggling massively in recent weeks and are shipping goals for fun. Against a Atletico side that well and truly have their tails up. You do worry that it could be a cricket score if some sort of response does not come.
Another half-chance for the home side as Gabi whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Costa is just beaten to the ball by Ayoze. The next 15 minutes could shape the final result. Football has a funny way of surprising you when you least expect it so do not rule out an away goal.
The match has just settled in the past few moments with Bilbao dominating possession of the ball. Meanwhile, it appears that every free kick decision is going against Deportivo. But that is what it is like when you are bottom of the league. It feels as if the world is against you.
Atletico have played 11 games at home this season in all competitions. They have won all 11. That is a quite incredible record. That is the task facing Deportivo this evening. Nothing much to report in the past few moments with a series of fouls interrupting the flow of the match.
Atletico's defensive line is incredibly high at the moment. But with Valeron playing off Riki there is simply no pace to worry about. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Falcao finds Costa in the box, but the striker's effort is straight at Dani.
Half-chance for Riki to open his side's tally as he meets a cross from Valeron, but the striker can only head over the crossbar. I just cannot see any possible way how Deportivo can get back into this match and close the door at the other end. Falcao and Costa will fancy their chances of adding to their tally.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Falcao)
Oh my word. I asked Falcao to step up to the plate this evening and good grief. It is as good as they come from the Colombian as he bends an effort into the top corner from outside the box. That is a strike of the highest order.
Deportivo really could be on their way to a hiding here. It isn't as if Atletico are playing wonderful football, but they have been so clinical. This match is over as a contest. But more goals will arrive in the second period. Of that I am certain.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time at the end of the half. Atletico have possession of the ball and they will enter the break with a three-goal lead.
HALF-TIME: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna
So there we have it. A double from Radamel Falcao and a header from Diego Costa has handed the home side a 3-0 lead at the interval. Deportivo have enjoyed more possession, but they have not managed to register a shot on target.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. As mentioned, Deportivo shaded the possession with 52%, but they managed just three shots to Atletico's eight. Meanwhile, the home side have also had four shots on target, four more than Deportivo.
As it stands Atletico would move five points clear of third-placed Real Madrid and just three points behind leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, Deportivo would remain bottom of the table. Make no mistake about it, they are in trouble this season. Their defence just looks to incredibly open.
Just a reminder that we have action from Real Betis versus Barcelona following the completion of this match. The La Liga commentaries just keep on coming on Sports Mole. Be sure to remain with us for the second period of this one which is just about three minutes away.
Here we go then. Deportivo get us underway in the second period. The bottom side have it all to do in the second 45 minutes. They usually score goals, but their watery defence places the team under pressure. Let's see what the second half brings.
Half-chance for the home side at the beginning of the second period as Turan attempts to find the run of Costa behind the Deportivo defence. But the striker just cannot collect and Laure clears the danger. Slightly laboured start to the second half from both sides.
Valeron attempts to go alone for the away side as he dances past two challenges, but he is stopped on his way by Luis who clears the danger. Turan embarks on a run of his own down the other end, but his searching pass for Costa is just too long and Dani clears the danger.
Decent spell of pressure from Deportivo as they force a couple of free kicks in quick succession, but once more the final ball is poor and the danger is cleared. Atletico are certainly playing within themselves at the moment and it is allowing Deportivo the chance to get back into the match.
Atletico have just upped the tempo in the past few moments with Koke and Turan seeing more of the ball. But neither can find Falcao and the danger is cleared. Surely the Colombian will feel confident of scoring another hat trick this evening. We still have over 35 minutes of football to play at the Vicente Calderon.
Another half-chance comes the way of Deportivo as Valeron stands over a free kick outside the penalty area. However, once more the delivery is short of what is expected and Falcao heads clear before setting up a counter attack with Turan on the ball.
Again Atletico flood forward with Gabi spotting the run of Falcao. The Colombian striker gathers the ball on his chest, but Ayoze manages to get a toe to the ball and Dani clears the danger. Meanwhile, another long pass from Koke just evades Falcao moments later.
First change of the match is made by the home side as Adrian Lopez replaces Costa, who appears to be carrying a slight knock. The Spanish striker has not had a great deal of football recently but has more than 30 minutes to impress here.
Another half-chance for number four as Koke whips a free kick into the Deportivo penalty area, but Turan cannot make proper contact with the cross and it goes behind for a goal kick. The away side are desperately trying to get back into the match, but their attacking threat has been non-existent.
PENALTY: Atletico are awarded a penalty as Falcao is felled in the penalty area by Roderick. It was a clumsy clumsy challenge from the young defender. No prizes for guessing who is going to take it.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Falcao)
Falcao does indeed take the penalty and calmly slides it into the back of the net. That is his third hat trick of the season.
Deportivo make their first change of the match as Javi Camunas is replaced by Salomao. It is a bold decision with his side 4-0 down with more than 20 minutes of football to play. This really could be any score at the end of play.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 5-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Falcao)
Falcao has his fourth of the match as the Colombian striker latches onto a shot from Turan to head past the goalkeeper from close range. The Turkish midfielder's effort had not crossed the line and therefore Falcao has goal number four.
Right, I criticised Falcao before this match and said he will probably score five goals now in order to teach me a lesson. Well he has four. What one earth do I know anyway? Falcao is now above Ronaldo in the La Liga scoring charts. He has been simply sensational this evening.
Meanwhile, Atletico make their second change of the evening as Arda Turan is replaced by Raul Garcia. Tonight has further highlighted the strength of the home side's squad. There is still little under 20 minutes of football remaining here.
Half-chance for the away side to add a consolation as Riki meets Gama cross in the penalty area, but he can only head his effort straight at Courtois.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 6-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Falcao)
Incredible. Just incredible. Falcao does indeed have five as he collects possession in the area before evading two challenges and firing into the back of the net. I think he heard what I said earlier.
Meanwhile, Deportivo make another change as Andre Santos comes on for Valeron. Unfortunately this match has been slightly above him this evening. Atletico also make their third change as Luis is replaced by Javier Manquillo.
The pressure is relentless from the home side as they go in search of number seven. There is still little under 15 minutes of football remaining and it really could enter double figures. For those who saw me criticising Falcao before the match. I said he will probably score five in order to teach me a lesson. Well, he has. I have learned my lesson.
Third and final change for Deportivo as Riki is replaced by Bodipo. What will this defeat do for their confidence in the second part of the season? There was always a danger that they would take a hiding this evening. However, they have enjoyed possession in the past few moments.
The supporters know how to celebrate this match. The Mexican wave is in full flow! And why not? They will milk this win for all it is worth. Another half-chance falls to the home side as Gabi finds Falcao in the box, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment.
Possession football from Atletico as we approach the final five minutes of the match. They have enjoyed their football this evening. Unfortunately for Deportivo their young defence has been taught a very harsh lesson this evening.
Not a great deal happening in the final stages of this match truth be told. The match has over as a contest as soon as the third goal went in and Atletico have just turned on the tempo in the stages of the second period. Not long left in this one.
Decent finish to the match from Deportivo as Gama fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Salomao just cannot collect. Meanwhile, Bodipo fires wide of the target moments later. You cannot fault their attitude in this match.
Deportivo continue to pass and probe in the latter stages of the match with Atletico dropping deeper and deeper. Meanwhile, the home supporters remain in good voice. What a weekend this could turn out to be for Atletico if Barcelona drop points against Real Betis later this evening.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the half. In fairness they have dominated possession in the past five or so minutes. But have been unable to create any real chance of note.
Deportivo finish the match in the driving seat as they force a couple of corners, but still they cannot find their opening goal and we have around 20 seconds of football remaining.
Atletico Madrid 6-0 Deportivo La Coruna
So there we have it. Falcao scores five as Atletico thump Deportivo in Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Real Betis versus Barcelona!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
