First-half goals from Jackson Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco ensured that hosts Atletico Madrid claimed a 2-1 victory over Valencia in La Liga this evening.
The game started quickly and Valencia almost took the lead after four minutes when Rodrigo sent a flick-on to Shkodran Mustafi, but he could not produce the finish under pressure from Diego Godin.
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Atletico sought to hit back through playmaker Koke, who broke forward at pace before firing a strong effort towards the Valencia goal, where Jaume Domenech pulled off a standout save.
The hosts built themselves up into a good rhythm after the half-hour mark and they were able to find a lead through Martinez, as the striker capitalised on some poor defending from the away centre-backs to slot coolly beyond Domenech.
Antoine Griezmann aimed to push the home side into a two-goal advantage when his cross picked out Jackson, who saw his shot kept out by a busy Valencia stopper.
The intensity finally told just before the interval, though, when Ferreira Carrasco capped off an exciting run with a low finish into the bottom corner to leave Madrid in the driving seat.
The home side should have wrapped up the three points midway through the second half, but Griezmann found the wrong side of the right post after being picked out by an impressive Ferreira Carrasco.
The visitors were able to establish a tense finish in the capital when Godin brought Mustafi down inside the area, leaving Paco Alcacer to make no mistake with the penalty.
Juanfran did his best to try and prevent some nervous viewing for Madrid when he broke through to get a shot off on the away goal, where he found Domenech eager to keep things at 2-1.
Valencia aimed to mount some late pressure on the home defenders, but they were unable to find a way through as Atleti held on to claim victory at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Christopher Dodd
