Atletico Madrid welcomed Levante to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday looking to move level on points with second-place Barcelona in the La Liga table.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Antoine Griezmann's seventh league goal of the season.
Griezmann scored his second early in the second period, but Levante cut the deficit to one goal after 62 minutes when Nabil El Zhar converted from close range.
Atletico made sure of the points late on, however, when Diego Godin added his side's third of the match.
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 returns from the Spanish capital as Atletico Madrid welcome Levante. Both sides should be well-rested after the winter break! Right, before anything else, let me bring you up to speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.
TEAMS
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Turan, Griezmann; Mandzukic
LEVANTE: Marino; Ivan, Vyntra, Nikos, Juanfran; Sissoko, Diop, Morales, Ivanschitz, Victor; Rafael
There is no Miranda in the Atletico squad this afternoon, fuelling suggestions that the Brazilian could leave the Spanish champions this month. As a result, Jose Gimenez starts alongside Diego Godin. Mario Mandzukic once again leads the line, while there are also starts for Antoine Griezmann and Tiago.
Levante, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-5-1 formation at the Calderon, with Brazilian Rafael Martins leading the line. On-loan Real Valladolid midfielder Victor Perez also starts, in addition to Jose Luis Morales. Juanfran, meanwhile, will captain the team from full-back.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a draw. Last season, Atletico were 3-2 winners in this stadium, but Levante recorded a 2-0 victory when the two teams met in Valencia towards the end of the campaign.
That said, Atletico have not lost any of their nine home league games against Levante – winning eight times in the process. The Spanish champions currently sit third in the table on 35 points – three points behind second-place Barcelona and four behind the leaders Real Madrid, who have played a game less.
The capital side have had a couple of disappointing results on the road this season, but they were also beaten 1-0 at home by Villarreal on December 14. That said, they have won four of their last five in the league and signed off for the winter break with a thumping 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.
Levante, meanwhile, currently sit 15th in the table. They have won three of their 16 league matches this season, drawing six and losing seven. As it stands, they are just two points outside of the drop zone and could drop into the bottom three if other results were to go against them this weekend.
That said, Levante will enter this match off the back of a decent run of form. They have only lost one of their last six in the league, but that run of form has included four draws. Before the winter break, the Valencia-based side recorded a 1-1 draw at home to David Moyes's Real Sociedad.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it difficult to look past a home win here. Levante have been in decent form in recent weeks, but I expect Atletico to have a little bit too much in the final third, even without a certain Fernando Torres, who was not registered in time. My score prediction is 2-0 Atletico.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. The away side get the first period underway.
I can confirm that a certain Fernando Torres is indeed in the stands this afternoon. The Spanish striker will be available for Atletico's Copa del Rey last-16 first leg against Real Madrid next week.
It has been a bright start from the home side, with Juanfran already causing problems in wide positions. The full-back attempts to thread a pass into Mandzukic, but Juanfran is on hand to clear for a throw. Can Levante find a way to take something from this match? It is a big ask for the away side here.
Juanfran remains heavily involved for Atletico as the right-back collects a pass from Turan before delivering towards the near post, but Marino is on hand to claim. Levante are just finding it difficult to keep hold of the ball at the moment as the pressure keeps coming back. Lively opening five minutes in Madrid.
Juanfran hauls Griezmann to the ground outside the box and Atletico have a chance to test Marino...
... the resulting free kick is delivered by Koke into a dangerous area, but the offside flag had been raised. Atletico are so dangerous from set pieces, but Levante have given away a couple already.
Half-chance for Levante as Martins finds his way through the Atletico defence before striking on goal, but his effort was always straight into the arms of Moya. End-to-end football with seven minutes played.
Atletico have upped the tempo in the last couple of moments with a series of crosses causing problems inside the Levante box. The away side manage to clear, but the pressure is coming straight back.
BOOKING! Juanfran (Levante) goes into the book for a late challenge on Mandzukic.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Atletico have the ball in the back of the net as Turan converts at the far post, but Mandzukic was in an offside position when he met the resulting free kick from Koke. Levante just need to be careful here as they continue to concede free kicks in dangerous areas of the field.
Not too much from the away side in terms of attacking pressure, with Atletico in control of the possession. Levante skipper Juanfran has made a number of crucial challenges thus far, but needs to be careful after picking up a booking after 10 minutes. Still goalless in the first La Liga match of 2015.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Mandzukic meets a deep cross from Siqueira, but his header just drops wide of the post. Again it was excellent work from the Atleti full-back.
Griezmann comes close to meeting a loose ball inside the Levante box, but Ivan just manages to clear. The away side are down the other end moments later with Morales, but the Spaniard can only fire his effort into the arms of the Atletico goalkeeper. The match is just starting to open up with 18 minutes played.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Levante (Griezmann)
Atletico lead after 18 minutes as Griezmann heads a beautiful Siqueira cross into the back of the net. Excellent work from the Frenchman, who now has seven league goals for the season. Brilliant goal.
In truth, it had been coming. Atletico have been on the front foot since the very first minute this afternoon and Levante are now finding it difficult to contain the threat. Diego Simeone is asking for the supporters to raise their voices and they are responding. The Calderon is absolutely bouncing!
BOOKING! Diop (Levante) is booked for a really poor challenge on Gabi. The midfielder made no contact with the ball and swiped the legs of the Atletico captain. Again, another dangerous free kick.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Koke, but Mandzukic had again moved just too soon.
Better from Levante as Morales finds some space inside the Atletico box before attempting to drill a low cross towards Martins, but Tiago is on hand to clear. The resulting corner is delivered into the heart of the box, but Godin rises to clear the danger. Still 1-0 Atletico with 26 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
Levante have carried a threat in the last few minutes and have another half-chance as Victor finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not too much from Atletico since Griezmann opened the scoring, but Siqueira remains a real threat in wide positions.
Half-chance for the home side as Turan finds some space outside the box before firing one towards goal, but his effort just moved high of the crossbar. Juanfran and Siqueira are having plenty of joy in wide areas, but the former has been a little wasteful thus far. Little under 15 minutes of the first period to play.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Atletico again have the ball in the back of the net as Mandzukic converts a Turan cross, but once again, the Croatian was offside. That is two disallowed goals for Atletico!
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with both sides committing numbers in the final third. Griezmann dances past three challenges outside the Levante box, but Ivan is across to make the challenge. Down the other end, Turan works back to deny Victor space down the right for Levante.
Guess what, another offside decision! This time Turan is flagged following a period of Atletico possession. The linesman in the Atletico half has been very busy this afternoon. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Levante have managed to regroup since conceding the first goal.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Mandzukic as Tiago finds the striker with a sensational cross, but Marino is on hand to make a point-blank save. Excellent goalkeeping from the Spaniard there.
Decent spell of possession for the away side in the last couple of minutes, but they are unable to fashion a real chance. Martins's movement is causing problems to Atletico, but the Brazilian has not had great service thus far. Can either side register in the latter stages of the half? Little under five mins to play.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Godin to score Atletico's second as the centre-back meets a cross from Koke, but his header is over the crossbar. Atletico really should be further ahead in this match.
BOOKING! Mandzukic (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Morales.
Morales is still receiving treatment following that Mandzukic challenge, which was very poor indeed.
Possession football from the home side in the latter stages of the first period. In truth, Atletico should be further ahead at this stage following their domination and indeed chances created.
Atletico force another free kick in a wide area following a late challenge from Ivan on Siqueira. The resulting set piece eventually falls to Juanfran outside the box, but his low effort is well wide of the post.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the champions Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of Griezmann's seventh league goal of the season. In truth, the home side have been in control of proceedings - creating a number of chances and having two further goals disallowed.
STATS! Atletico have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had eight attempts - two of which have been on target. Levante, meanwhile, have also had two attempts on target. The referee, meanwhile, has issued three yellow cards following a number of feisty challenges in the capital.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Raul Jimenez, Raul Garcia and Saul Niguez all in reserve. Levante, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Nabil El Zhar, David Barral and Issam El Adoua. Will either manager act at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Levante respond? It is the home side that get the second period underway. Let's hope for more goals!
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Levante (Griezmann)
Atletico score their second of the match as Griezmann converts from close range after Marino had denied Mandzukic from a header. The Frenchman cannot stop scoring at the moment!
CHANCE! Levante are finding it difficult to contain the home side at the moment as Mandzukic meets another cross from the right, but somehow he heads wide of the post. It should be 3-0!
Neither side made any changes at the interval, but it would not be a surprise if the Levante boss was considering changing his team at this stage. The away side have hardly featured in the second period, with Atletico in complete control. As it stands, they are moving level on points with Barcelona.
A little better from Levante as they force two corners in quick succession, but there is a quick turnaround and Atletico are again on the counter. It would be fair to say that it took Griezmann a little bit of time to settle at the Calderon this season, but the Frenchman is now in fine form the Spanish champions.
CHANCE! Tiago comes close to scoring a third for the home side following excellent work from Griezmann, but the midfielder's effort just deflects wide of the post. Good challenge from Juanfran.
Mandzukic is not having much luck in front of goal today as the Croatian fires another effort wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the home side are searching for a third goal here.
SUB! Levante make their first change as El Zhar replaces Martins, who has struggled.
GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Levante (El Zhar)
Well, that did not take long for El Zhar to make an impression! Levante cut the deficit to one goal just past the hour as El Zhar turns a low Victor cross into the bottom corner. Game on at the Calderon!
Suddenly we have a real game on our hands as Levante force the issue with a series of pressure. Ivanschitz has a half-chance from an Ivan cross, but his effort is deflected over by Godin. What a game!
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Garcia replaces Turan.
This match is still very much in the balance with around 25 minutes of football remaining. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. Can Levante turn this one around late on?
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side are in control of the possession. Just a reminder that both managers still have two permitted changes remaining and it would not be a surprise to see those made in the next five or 10 minutes. It remains 2-1 Atletico.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges. Atletico have gone from being 2-0 ahead to hanging on a bit here as Levante up the tempo once more. Victor, however, delivers his latest cross straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
SUB! Levante make their second change as David Barral replaces Nikos.
Gabi tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Levante goalkeeper. The visitors are down the other end with Barral moments later, but the Spaniard cannot run away from Juanfran. End-to-end football with 75 minutes on the clock.
BOOKINGS! Sissoko (Levante) and Garcia (Atletico) both have their names taken following an altercation in the middle of the pitch. It has been coming, those two have been at it for some time now.
Little over 10 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining and the result is very much in the balance. Atletico should have been out of sight at the interval, but Levante have found a way back into the match. Atletico have another half-chance through Juanfran, but the defender cannot slide a pass into Tiago.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Jimenez replaces Mandzukic.
Ivan has the chance to deliver a dangerous cross into the Atletico box, but the full-back can only place the ball into the arms of Moya and Atletico are straight down the other end. It remains 2-1 Atletico.
GOAL! Atletico 3-1 Levante (Godin)
That should be game over! Atletico score their third with 82 minutes on the clock as Godin heads a Tiago cross into the back of the net. Marino went walkabouts and Godin was first to react to the high ball.
SUB! Atletico make their third change of the match as Saul replaces Griezmann.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Atletico more than happy to keep control of the ball and play out the final moments. It has been a professional display thus far.
Atletico continue to dominate the ball as stoppage time approaches at the Calderon.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to score a fourth as Juanfran finds Garcia unmarked inside the Levante box, but the midfielder's touch is just too heavy and Marino is out to collect.
We are into the second of three additional minutes in Madrid.
Levante have a penalty shout as Barral goes down under a challenge from Gimenez and replays have shown that the centre-back caught the midfielder. That should have been a penalty for the visitors!
Strong end to the match from Levante as they force two corners in quick succession.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 3-1 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period in Madrid to a close with Atletico running out 3-1 winners. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
