Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid beat Almeria 3-0 in La Liga on Saturday evening.
Mario Mandzukic also netted from the spot at the Vicente Calderon as the reigning Spanish champions, who finished with 10 men following a late red card for Guilherme Siqueira, moved to within three points of second-placed Barcelona.
Almeria, meanwhile, remain just outside of the relegation zone after a first defeat in four league games.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the Spanish affair.
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ATLETICO
Goal
Miguel Moya: Had his feet up for much of the contest in Madrid. Will have had tougher afternoons during a Sunday stroll down the park. (6/10)
Defence
Juanfran: Not too involved in the final third, but put in another strong defensive performance. Quite probably saving his legs ahead of what is a vital couple of months. (6/10)
Diego Godin: Sporting his protective mask once again, the powerful centre-back had a strong match. Won everything in the air and was calm and composed in possession of the ball. (7/10)
Miranda: Did not put a foot wrong, but had very little to do. Has overcome his injury problems in recent matches to return to somewhere near his best form. (6/10)
Guilherme Siqueira: Was sent off in stoppage time, but it was a horror decision from the referee. Had a good game down the left, with his strong running causing Almeria problems. (6/10)
Midfield
Gabi: No-frills performance from the Spaniard, who kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. Helped keep the tempo high during Atletico's impressive first period. (7/10)
Tiago: Will not have too many easier games this season. Was allowed time and space to pick his passes during another solid performance. (6/10)
Saul Niguez: Had a couple of half-chances in the second period, but could not repeat his heroics from Atletico's last home game against Real Madrid. (6/10)
Attack
Antoine Griezmann: Continued his excellent run of form with two goals in the first period. Almeria just could not live with the guile and quality of the Frenchman. (8/10)
Mario Mandzukic: Just shades Griezmann for the man-of-the-match award after a goal and two assists. Got through a lot of work during his 60 minutes on the field too. (8/10)
Arda Turan: Missed last week's defeat at Celta Vigo, but returned to the team here. Brings such calmness and confidence to Atletico's attack. (7/10)
Substitutes
Fernando Torres: Had a couple of half-chances in the final 30 minutes, but the wait for his first league goal since returning to the club continues. (6/10)
Raul Garcia: Picked up a booking as he put himself about during his 25 minutes on the field. Could not inspire his team to more goals, though. (6/10)
Mario Suarez: Slotted effortlessly into central midfield for the final 20 minutes. (6/10)
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ALMERIA
Goal
Julian Cuesta: Could not do much about any of the goals, while he made a couple of good saves in the second period. Needed more protection from his defence. (6/10)
Defence
Michel Macedo: Has arguably been his side's best player in recent weeks, but Almeria as a team did not defend well here. Could not get forward at the Calderon. (6/10)
Mauro dos Santos: Had a disappointing first period as he conceded a harsh penalty, but recovered in the second to produce a number of key blocks. (6/10)
Angel Trujillo: Got caught for Atletico's second goal and found Griezmann difficult to handle during the Frenchman's 64 minutes on the field. (5/10)
Sebastian Dubarbier: Had a difficult first period, but, like a number of his teammates, improved in the second half. Delivered a couple of dangerous crosses late on. (6/10)
Midfield
Fran Velez: Made a mistake for Atletico's second and was replaced at the interval following a disappointing first period. (4/10)
Corona: Had a couple of shooting chances in the second period, but his radar was off. Needed a lot more work and running from those around him. (5/10)
Verza: Had chances to threaten from free kicks, but the midfielder's delivery was disappointing. Did not see enough of the ball to make a serious contribution. (5/10)
Attack
Thievy Bifouma: Threatened to have a good match early on, but faded badly as play developed. Was eventually replaced by Wellington Silva in the second period. (5/10)
Tomer Hemed: Received hardly any service and showed his frustration late on with a couple of wild attempts. Will demand more from those around him. (5/10)
Edgar Mendez: Looked the player most likely to make something happen in the final third, but it just did not happen for the attacker. (5/10)
Substitutes
Fernando Soriano: Replaced Velez at the interval, but the experienced attacker struggled to break through a strong and compact Atletico defence. (6/10)
Wellington Silva: Will have been disappointed not to start and the Brazilian found it difficult to make his mark during a 20-minute cameo. (5/10)
Jose Manuel Casado: Replaced Dubarbier for the final 15 minutes and slotted into full-back with relative ease. (5/10)
Matt Law
