Atletico Madrid earn a well-deserved 2-0 win away against Granada to move to within a point of the top spot in La Liga.
© Getty Images
Atletico came out strongly and almost scored through Fernando Torres, but the former Liverpool and Chelsea forward could not grow enough to meet Yannick Ferreira Carrasco's near-post cross.
It would not be long before Diego Simeone's men went in front as a Koke corner was headed home emphatically by Diego Godin, who was unmarked and unchallenged by the Granada defence.
Granada had their first chance just before half time after some good work from Isaac Success found Adalberto Penaranda in space, but the forward could not test Jan Oblak as the angle began to narrow.
© Getty Images
In the second half, Filipe Luis had a chance as the Brazilian found himself all alone in the box but he could not get his strike on target.
Godin almost doubled his own talents moments later from another corner but the 29-year-old was put off by another Atletico player and he failed to test the goalkeeper.
Success created a chance of his own on the hour mark as the Granada winger ran at the Atletico back line before he forced a save from Oblak.
© Getty Images
Torres found some space in the box as he looked for his 100th goal for Atletico but the former Liverpool man was denied well by Andreas.
Antoine Griezmann sealed the three points with 15 minutes remaining as the Frenchman was played through by Oliver Torres and the 24-year-old hammered it home for his seventh La Liga goal this season.
Thomas Partey could have made it three late on after he rounded the goalkeeper but his touch pulled the substitute too far wide and he could not direct the ball into the open net.
The win moves Atletico to within a point of leaders Barcelona, who play later tonight, while Granada remain just a point above the relegation places in 17th.
Nathan Staples
