Half-Time Report: Atletico Madrid hold two-goal lead over Valencia at the break

First-half goals from Jackson Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco have given hosts Atletico Madrid a 2-0 half-time lead over Valencia in La Liga this evening.

The game started at a quick speed 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.

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.

Atletico mounted increasing pressure on the visitors and they almost found themselves 2-0 to the good, only for Domenech to make another strong save to deny a thumping header from Godin.

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.