MX23RW : Monday, April 29 09:43:12| >> :120:52338:52338:
[monks data]
Levante logo
La Liga
May 4, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-0

Filipe (7' og.), Barral (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Atletico Madrid slip up in title race

Atletico miss the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga after slumping to a 2-0 defeat away to Levante.

Atletico Madrid have missed the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga courtesy of a 2-0 defeat away to Levante this afternoon.

Atletico Madrid's forward David Villa reacts during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on May 4, 2014© Getty Images

Diego Simeone's side, who were vying for their 10th successive league win, slumped to their first loss since February as a Filipe Luis own goal and a David Barral strike dented their title bid.

The hosts took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances through an own goal from Luis, who diverted the ball into his own net as keeper Thibaut Courtois saw himself beaten for the first time in the league since March.

Atletico could, and perhaps should, have levelled matters midway through the first half as Raul Garcia saw his shot saved by Keilor Navas at point-blank range before David Villa sent the rebound over the bar.

As the minutes increased so did the visitors' hunger to equalise as Loukas Vyntra cleared off the line from Luis, while the usually lethal Diego Costa fired a Gabi cross narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts absorbed the pressure before Joaquin Caparros's side then doubled their advantage against the run of play, as Barral slotted beyond Courtois with 20 minutes remaining.

Adrian Lopez came within the width of the woodwork of reducing the arrears, only to watch his curling effort strike the post as Simeone's men missed the opportunity to claim one of the two wins necessary to clinch the title.

Consequently, the Rojiblancos remain three points clear of Barcelona - who they face at Camp Nou on the final day - and six ahead of local rivals Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.

ID:153415: cacheID:153415:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4227:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Diego Ribas of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 5, 2014
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Atletico trailing Levante
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!