Atletico Madrid recorded a 3-0 win against Sevilla in Sunday evening's La Liga clash at the Estadio Ramon.
Koke scored the away side's first in the 35th minute, before Gabi and Jackson Martinez struck in the latter stages.
The result means that Atletico have won both of their league games this season, but Sevilla have now claimed just one point from an available six.
Here, Sports Mole has dissected the 90 minutes of action in Seville.
Match statistics
SEVILLA
Shots: 25
On target: 7
Possession: 66%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 17
ATLETICO
Shots: 17
On target: 7
Possession: 34%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
Statistics rarely paint a false picture in football and one look at the numbers in Seville would suggest that the home team were desperately unlucky to lose, let alone by a three-goal scoreline. While a final result of 3-0 is a little harsh on Sevilla, it is difficult to argue that Atletico did not deserve to collect all the points. The first goal was always going to be important and when it came for the visitors, Sevilla had an uphill task against such a strong defensive outlet. Creating chances was not the problem for the home team, but some good goalkeeping from Jan Oblak coupled with disappointing finishing meant that they could not find the back of the net. Sevilla's best period of the match came early in the second half when they lifted the tempo, but Atletico's threat on the counter was always apparent, especially as the game developed.
A 1-0 victory for Atletico might have been a better reflection of what actually occurred, but quick thinking from Gabi allowed the visitors to score a second, before Martinez added a third from outside the box. Both managers made changes as play developed, but it was those from Diego Simeone that ultimately made the difference. There were only two points separating these two teams last season, but Atletico had Sevilla's number here, which has been the case over the last few years. While Sevilla will seemingly battle Valencia for fourth spot again this season, Atletico will feel that they can make a stronger challenge for the title. More performances of this ilk will only strengthen that suggestion, that is for sure.
Sevilla's performance
Sevilla only signed Fernando Llorente towards the end of last week, but the Spanish international went straight into Unai Emery's team as the lone striker. It was quite a defensive line-up overall, but one that had the potential to harm Atletico. Indeed, the hosts had the game's first real chance inside the opening three minutes, but Coke could not beat Oblak from a tight angle. Sevilla continued to threaten in the first period and came close again through Benoit Tremoulinas just past the 30-minute mark, but the full-back was denied by Atletico's goalkeeper. Emery will have been disappointed with the manner in which his team conceded the first goal of the match, with Antoine Griezmann being allowed to wriggle free and ultimately find Koke, who finished from inside the box. A pretty even first period finished with Atletico in the lead, but the home supporters would have seen enough from their team to expect a response in the second half.
Llorente had a golden chance to level the scores in the 65th minute when the ball fell for the Spaniard inside the box, but the new signing could only fire wide of the post. It was Sevilla that continued to threaten as the match developed, but Atletico's threat on the counter grew stronger when both managers made changes. The second goal was a real killer for the home team as Gabi's deflected effort found the bottom corner. The hosts had to push forward at that point and it did not come as much of a surprise when Martinez made it 3-0 late on. In the end, it could have been worse as Griezmann rattled the crossbar in stoppage time. Sevilla were actually pretty good for long spells, but their failure to finish and struggles as the match developed contributed to what was a heavy defeat. Sevilla were not as bad as the scoreline suggests.
Atletico's performance
Atletico's work in the transfer market this summer only strengthened claims that they could once again launch a title challenge in the new La Liga season. They opened with a fairly laboured 1-0 win over Las Palmas last week, but this victory in Seville suggests that they will challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid. The visitors did not really have a chance of note until the latter stages of the first period, but Koke's smart finish meant that they would enter the break with a one-goal lead. They certainly had their goalkeeper to thank, meanwhile, with Oblak making a couple of smart stops. Atletico were put under pressure in the early stages of the second half as Sevilla continued to deliver from wide areas, but Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez were both excellent at the heart of their defence. Meanwhile, the three central midfielders all knew their roles. Coming from behind against Atletico is a very difficult task indeed.
In truth, this was a typical performance from a side coached by Simeone. They were not too concerned with seeing the ball for long spells, but when presented with the opportunity, broke with pace and power. The fact that the Argentine could bring the likes of Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco off his bench is an indication of Atletico's strength this season and moments after Martinez had been introduced, Gabi found the back of the net for 2-0. Martinez then got in on the act with his first goal for the club late on and only the crossbar presented Griezmann from making it four in stoppage time. Not many teams go to Seville and manage 17 attempts and fewer manage to claim all three points, especially with a 3-0 scoreline. Defensively, Simeone's side were excellent, but their quality in the final third was a real treat when it came together.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Antoine Griezmann: Sevilla just could not live with the French attacker at the Estadio Ramon. Griezmann did not find the back of the net, but he set up Atletico's first and third goals, before hitting the crossbar with a stunning effort late on. A host of clubs were said to be interested in taking Griezmann away from the Vicente Calderon this summer, but it is no surprise that the capital outfit strongly resisted all talk of a move.
Biggest gaffe
It is perhaps a little harsh to pick out Llorente on his Sevilla debut, but the Spaniard really should have scored in the 65th minute. Some loose defending from Atletico presented the forward with a perfect chance inside the box, but he could only fire wide of the post. It would have levelled the scores with 25 minutes of football still to play.
Referee performance
As expected, it was a busy evening for referee Clos Gomez, who issued seven bookings in total, but it could have been a lot more. There were a couple of occasions where matters threatened to boil over, but the official did a good job of keeping the peace when it was needed. Atletico had a couple of penalty shouts in the second period, but Gomez was not interested and replays showed that the Spaniard was correct.
What next?
Sevilla: Emery's side return to La Liga action away to Levante on September 11.
Atletico: Next up for Atletico is a home league match against Barcelona on September 12.
Matt Law
