Atletico Madrid moved to within three points of second-placed Barcelona in the La Liga table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Almeria on Saturday evening.
Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Antoine Griezmann scored twice more in the first period.
Atletico finished the match with 10 men following a debatable late red card for Guilherme Siqueira
Almeria, meanwhile, remain just outside the relegation zone following their first defeat in four games.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Spanish rivals.
Match statistics
ATLETICO
Shots: 9
On target: 6
Possession: 57%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 13
ALMERIA
Shots: 9
On target: 1
Possession: 43%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
It was a very, very comfortable win for the home side. Almeria actually started quite well, with their pace in attack bringing some bright moments. However, from the moment that Atletico took the lead, it all went downhill. As will be discussed later, the award of a penalty for Atletico's first was very harsh indeed, but Almeria's collapse was quite disappointing. They were one down inside 13 minutes, but 3-0 behind after 29 minutes. Poor defending contributed to the goals and the match was over as a contest before the first half had ended, which would have been disappointing for the neutral supporter.
The second period was quite poor. Neither side created too much of note in the final third, while as expected, Atletico boss Diego Simeone brought off Mandzukic and Griezmann ahead of next week's Champions League last-16 clash away to Bayer Leverkusen. Almeria improved in the second half, but that was mainly down to Atletico's drop in tempo rather than their own bright work. Atletico will not have many games as comfortable as this one in the remainder of the season.
Atletico's performance
After losing at Celta Vigo last time out, all three points were absolutely vital for Atletico here, especially after watching Barcelona lose at home to Malaga earlier in the afternoon. Atletico's away form in the league this season has been very patchy, but they have been strong at home and the victory was never in doubt against Almeria. Neither side created much in the opening minutes, but Mandzukic sent Atletico ahead from the penalty spot after 13 minutes. The big Croatian then twice set up Griezmann, who finished expertly to secure a comfortable three-goal lead after just 29 minutes.
Atletico did not have to do too much to move 3-0 ahead, which will have pleased Simeone ahead of the match with Leverkusen. The Spanish champions have had their problems at the back this season due to injuries and loss of form, but Miranda and Diego Godin have been back to their best in recent weeks and that was again the case here. As it stands, Siqueira is facing a ban for his late red card, but Atletico will almost certainly have it rescinded on appeal. It was far from a vintage Atletico performance, especially in the second period, but this game was simply all about getting the job done.
Almeria's performance
Almeria entered this match off the back of two wins and a draw in their last three league games, but they never really had the chance to make it four unbeaten. Head coach Juan Ignacio Martinez selected the likes of Thievy Bifouma, Tomer Hemed and Edgar Mendez in what was an attacking side, but three goals conceded in quick succession really harmed their chances. From that moment forward, it was purely a damage-limitation exercise.
Whether Almeria survive in the league this season is not going to depend on their results at places such as the Calderon, but the fact that it went so wrong, so quickly, will be a concern to those involved with the club. They were unfortunate to concede the penalty that brought the first, but Atletico's next two goals came from some poor defending and a lack of support from midfield. It was a surprise that on-loan Arsenal attacker Wellington Silva did not start following a strong run of form, but it was not really a match where the away side's forwards were allowed to shine. All of the damage had been done after 29 minutes and the fact that they did not take a hiding in the second period can be taken as a positive.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Mario Mandzukic: The Croatian only stayed on the field for 59 minutes, but he made some contribution. The forward opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before setting up Griezmann for both of the Frenchman's goals. Mandzukic's work rate was called into question earlier in the season, but he got through plenty of work in this one.
Biggest gaffe
Over to the referee Antonio Mateu, who made two horror decisions in Madrid. First, the award of the penalty. Almeria defender Mauro dos Santos hardly made contact on Godin during an aerial challenge inside the box, but the Spaniard pointed to the spot, much to the disbelief of everyone inside the stadium. It got worse, however, with Mateu then sending off Atletico left-back Siqueira late on for handball, when replays demonstrated that the ball had been blasted at the Brazilian's chest. Both were absolutely horrific decisions, but the red card probably just about shades it when picking the worst one.
Referee performance
As discussed above, Mateu had a bit of a stinker. The penalty decision and late red card will draw the attention, but the official also missed a number of clear fouls throughout the contest. Atletico will of course have the most complaints, but there were also times when Almeria were left bemused by decisions. Overall, it was not Mateu's finest 90 minutes.
What next?
Atletico: The Spanish side are in Champions League action on Wednesday as they travel to Bayer Leverkusen for the first leg of their last-16 clash. Their next league match is away to top-four rivals Sevilla on March 1.
Almeria: Almeria will attempt to return to winning ways when they host Deportivo La Coruna next Saturday.
Matt Law
