Atletico Madrid moved to within eight points of La Liga leaders Barcelona courtesy of a 3-0 win over Las Palmas at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday afternoon.
Antoine Griezmann made the breakthrough just past the hour, before Fernando Torres and Thomas Partey added to the scoring against the relegation-threatened visitors.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Wanda Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid welcome Las Palmas. A win for second-placed Atletico would move them to within eight points of league leaders Barcelona, but relegation-threatened Las Palmas will be full of confidence following their 2-1 win over Valencia last weekend. Stay tuned for the action!
Atletico recorded a 5-1 win over Las Palmas when they made the trip to Gran Canaria earlier this season. Diego Simeone's side have actually scored 10 times in their last two league matches with Las Palmas, but the Canary islanders won 3-2 at Atletico in the Copa del Rey in January 2017. Last season's league game at Atletico, meanwhile, only brought a 1-0 home success.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid. Las Palmas have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Atletico were in Copa del Rey action on Tuesday – suffering a 3-1 defeat at Sevilla to exit the competition in the quarter-finals.
TEAMS!
ATLETICO: To be confirmed.
LAS PALMAS: Chichizola; Simon, Navarro, Galvez, D.Castellano; Penalba, Viera, Tana; Jairo, Calleri, Toledo
Still waiting for the Atletico team news, but Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez has made just the one change to the team that started against Valencia last weekend, with David Simon coming into the back four in place of Mauricio Lemos. Jonathan Calleri will again lead the line with support from Jairo and Hernan Toledo, with captain Jonathan Viera operating in a deeper position.
La UD Las Palmas pisa el Wanda Metropolitano. pic.twitter.com/EMIqtvQKkp — UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) January 28, 2018
I am not sure whether Atletico are actually playing this afternoon because there is absolutely no sign of their team news at the moment. Las Palmas take the points as it stands, unless Atletico want to turn up and play this football match. Hopefully I can bring you some home team news soon!
I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico. Simeone's side will enter the match off the back of a three-game winless run, which has seen them eliminated from the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage. Indeed, Sevilla won 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their last-eight clash on January 17, before recording a 3-1 victory at the Estadio Ramon on Tuesday night. Atletico were also held to a 1-1 draw by Girona in the league on home soil last weekend.
Atletico are currently the team closest to Barcelona in the table, and it has been an impressive season for Simeone's side. Indeed, the capital club have won 12, drawn seven and lost just one of their 20 league matches to collect 43 points. They have the joint-best defensive record with just nine goals conceded, but have incredibly only found the back of the opposition's net on 29 occasions.
🚌 🏟 We're home!
💪 Kick-off isn't too far away. 🔴⚪🔴#AúpaAtleti #AtletiLasPalmas pic.twitter.com/DmZQgRWyQc — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 28, 2018
TEAMS!
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Lucas; Correa, Saul, Gabi, Koke; Torres, Griezmann
LAS PALMAS: Chichizola; Simon, Navarro, Galvez, D.Castellano; Penalba, Viera, Tana; Jairo, Calleri, Toledo
Diego Costa again misses out for Atletico, meaning that Fernando Torres is given the chance to start alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack. Juanfran is in at right-back due to the suspension of Sime Vrsaljko, while Angel Correa keeps his position in a wide area. Kevin Gameiro was a late withdrawal through illness, which has opened up a spot on the bench for 18-year-old forward Giovanni.
It is a big few weeks for Atletico as they welcome Las Palmas this afternoon before hosting Valencia next weekend. Simeone's side will then travel to Malaga on February 10, before visiting Copenhagen for the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie. Having been eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League, Atletico will expect to challenge for the Europa League.
Atletico are also yet to lose a league match in their new stadium, but four of their nine fixtures on home soil have finished level. They have also only managed 11 league goals at the Wanda Metropolitano this season, which is incredibly low in relation to the teams around them.
¡Nuestro once para el partido de hoy! #AtletiLasPalmas#VamosUD pic.twitter.com/1REmECTccj — UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) January 28, 2018
As for Las Palmas, the Canary islanders will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Valencia last weekend. It was some victory over the high-flying Los Che, but Paco Jemez's side are still in plenty of trouble when it comes to their position in the league.
Indeed, a total of just 14 points from 20 fixtures has left them in 19th position. They are five points from 17th-placed Alaves, and have lost 14 of their 20 league games this season. Worryingly, La Union Deportiva also have the worst away record in the top flight – collecting just four points from 10 matches.
No team has conceded more goals (47) than Las Palmas in the top flight this season, while they have only managed 16 of their own. The Canary islanders are currently playing in their third straight La Liga season, but face the seriously possibility of returning to the second tier at the end of the campaign.
🔛🆙 ¡Calentamos!
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) January 28, 2018
⏳¡Enseguida... el #AtletiLasPalmas!#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/lwWWBuHEck
KICKOFF! Las Palmas kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... not quite a full house inside the stadium this afternoon. There is, however, a very good atmosphere. The home supporters will be expecting a strong performance from their side.
Atletico have netted 10 times in their last two league meetings with Las Palmas, but Simeone's side do not score bundles of goals in this stadium, and the visitors will be hoping to keep the score goalless for as long as possible. Not too much to report in the first four minutes of this clash.
Half-chance for Atletico as Koke breaks to the edge of the Las Palmas box, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of the post. The Las Palmas defence just parted there!
Smart defending from Galvez this time as the Las Palmas centre-back manages to clear ahead of Correa, who threatened to break into a shooting position. Chichizola then manages to palm clear.
CHANCE! Super chance for the visitors to take the lead as Toledo delivers a low cross into Jairo, but Godin comes from nowhere to make a brilliant block. Big moment there.
It has been a pretty open 12 minutes of football here, with both teams having their moments in the final third of the field. Las Palmas have come to attack - that is clear early on in Madrid.
Simon and Castellano have not been afraid to break forward for the away side here, but that is leaving a lot of space for Atletico on the counter-attack. The final pass from the hosts has been lacking in the opening 14 minutes, but there is a lot of room for the likes of Griezmann to operate in.
Atletico have a free kick in a dangerous area as Galvez brings Torres to the deck...
... Lucas makes contact on Koke's set piece, but the referee had blown for a push.
SAVE! Smart goalkeeping from Chichizola as the Las Palmas stopper manages to keep out an effort from Gabi, who had broken into the penalty box. Gabi might have done better!
Still goalless with 20 minutes on the clock, and Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez will be pretty pleased with what he has seen from his side this afternoon. Atletico have been a touch laboured here.
CHANCE! Good chance for Torres to make the breakthrough as the Spaniard works some space outside the Las Palmas box, but the striker drags his effort wide of the far post.
Correa looks in pain here as he holds his arm following a fall in the middle of the park.
CROSSBAR! Wonderful effort from Griezmann as the Frenchman produces a stunning flick from a Juanfran cross, but the ball hits the crossbar!
Las Palmas are riding their luck here as Atletico start to move through the gears on home soil.
Half-chance for Las Palmas this time as Toledo breaks into a central position outside the Atletico box, but the number 19's effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless in the capital.
Las Palmas goalkeeper Chichizola fails to collect a high ball, but the referee is on hand to whistle for a free kick. I am not sure that Godin did too much wrong there! Another call goes against the hosts.
Panic inside the Atletico box as Las Palmas deliver a couple of crosses in quick succession, but the home side eventually manage to clear. There is then a stoppage as Penalba hits the deck in a wide position. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment it must be said.
Griezmann sends one out for a throw after breaking into a wide position.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still locked at 0-0. Las Palmas boss Paco Jemez will be delighted with what he has seen from his team in the first 37 minutes here.
Not an awful lot to report in the last few minutes as both teams lose possession in the final third of the field. It has not been the most enthralling of encounters to be brutally honest. Still 0-0 here.
Calleri threatens to collect a smart pass from Toledo, but Oblak is out to claim. Both teams are taking it in turns to have possession in the final third of the field, and creating little half-chances.
Oblak collects a strike from Tana, who had worked some space outside the Atletico box. The effort had decent power, but it was always comfortable for the home side's goalkeeper.
Easy take for the Las Palmas goalkeeper as Griezmann strikes from distance.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both sides have had half-chances to make the breakthrough, but in truth, it has been a non-eventful opening 45 minutes of football from Madrid. Let's hope for an improvement after the break!
STATISTICS! Atletico only just shaded the first-half possession with 53%, while they had six attempts - two of which were on target. Las Palmas, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their five attempts. No yellow cards to report at the Wanda Metropolitano, but there were 16 first-half fouls.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico boss Diego Simeone has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Carrasco and Vitolo among those capable of changing things in the second period. Las Palmas, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Aquilani, Halilovic and Gomez.
RESTART! Atletico resume the action here...
... ATLETICO SUB! Carrasco has replaced Koke at the interval.
You do get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this match. Atletico do not score bundles on home soil, and one might well be enough to win this one.
Griezmann shows excellent pace and control to break into the Las Palmas box before picking out Saul, but the midfielder's touch is too strong. Las Palmas defender Galvez then produces a brilliant challenge to prevent Torres from sliding home moments later. Galvez has been pretty good here.
Correa fires wide of the post from a decent position outside the Las Palmas box.
Torres turns on the speed to drive past Galvez, but the striker just ran out of room down the left, and the ball goes behind for a goal kick. Still goalless with 54 minutes on the clock in the capital.
Carrasco shows dancing feet inside the Las Palmas box, but the Belgian is crowded out once again as the away side clear their lines. Atletico just cannot break through the away side at the moment.
Chichizola collects a weak attempt from Carrasco, who fired from distance.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, and we are still locked at 0-0. To be honest, it has been a pretty poor game of football. Atletico are doing nowhere near enough at the moment.
LAS PALMAS SUB! Tana is replaced by Vicente Gomez for the visitors.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Las Palmas (Griezmann)
Atletico finally make the breakthrough in the 61st minute as Griezmann races clear of the Las Palmas defence before lifting the ball over Chichizola. Wonderful composure from the Frenchman!
CLOSE! Atletico come close to scoring a second as Carrasco dances into the Las Palmas box before looking to pick out the corner, but his effort is deflected just wide!
POST! Griezmann lifts the ball onto the post after Saul had fed the Frenchman in a dangerous area. Las Palmas are all over the place at the moment here.
BOOKING! Navarro (Las Palmas) is booked for bringing Torres to the ground just outside the penalty box. It is a free kick, even though it appeared that the referee had pointed to the spot.
SAVE! The Las Palmas goalkeeper has to push a Carrasco effort wide of the post.
Las Palmas are not much of an attacking threat at the moment, but at 1-0, the visitors will always be in the match. Griezmann is threatening to race clear of the Las Palmas defence every time that the home side manage to counter-attack here. Still more than 20 minutes to play in Madrid.
Godin blocks an attempt from Viera as Las Palmas put together a decent move.
You do get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, and Las Palmas have just started to commit more players in the final third of the field. Could be a really good finish to this match.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Las Palmas (Torres)
Atletico double their lead in the 73rd minute as Fernando Torres collects a pass from Correa before driving into the Las Palmas box and finding the roof of the net!
Las Palmas were pretty good in the first period, but the visitors have struggled badly in the second. Atletico are closing on all three points, which would consolidate second spot in the table.
Both managers are going to make changes in the next stoppage here.
LAS PALMAS SUB! Exposito replaces Castellano for the away side.
ATLETICO SUB! Vitolo replaces Torres for the home side.
ATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Correa for the home side.
BOOKING! Saul (Atletico) is booked for a poor tackle on Simon.
Little over five minutes of the second period remaining, and the match has been very scrappy since Atletico scored their second of the match. The substitutions have slowed the pace of the game.
BOOKING! Galvez (Las Palmas) is booked for a foul on Vitolo.
Atletico have a free kick just outside the Las Palmas box...
... Griezmann's free kick is deflected over the Las Palmas crossbar.
GOAL! Atletico 3-0 Las Palmas (Thomas)
Atletico have their third of the match as Vitolo races away on the counter-attack before feeding Thomas, who cannot miss from close range. Terrible defending from the away side there.
We are into the first minute of added time at the end of the match.
Viera sends a free kick harmlessly wide of the Atletico post here.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 3-0 Las Palmas
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico recording a 3-0 win over Las Palmas in the Spanish capital. All three of the home side's goals came in the second period as they comfortably moved past the struggling Canary islanders. Thanks for joining us once again!
