Diego Costa strike enough for Atletico Madrid to win derby

Atletico Madrid have defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to maintain their perfect record in La Liga.

The only goal in the Madrid derby came after just 11 minutes when Diego Costa collected Koke's pass and slotted it past Diego Lopez from inside the hosts' penalty box.

Real recovered from their shock to create their first meaningful chance in the 25th minute when Karim Benzema forced Thibaut Courtois into a save with a close-range header.

Benzema wasted another good chance on the half-hour mark when he headed Angel di Maria's cross wide, before Tiago failed to keep his header on target for Atletico.

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Costa was denied by Lopez on the stroke of half time, just moments before Cristiano Ronaldo planted his header over the crossbar after meeting Di Maria's cross.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti sent on Gareth Bale and Luka Modric at the start of the second half, but it was the visitors to whom the first chance after the restart fell.

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Once again it was Costa who found himself in a good position after being released by David Villa, but Lopez made yet another good save.

Bale earned Los Blancos a free kick just moments later, but Ronaldo blasted it high and wide.

The home side were given another lifeline to earn a point from the contest when Koke's curling effort eight minutes from time came back off the crossbar.

However, despite Real's pressure in the final minutes that included an Alvaro Morata volley being denied by Courtois, Atletico held on for all three points.