Atletico Madrid faced Sevilla at the Vicente Calderon in La Liga this evening.
Goals from Koke and Saul Niguez gave the home side a 2-0 lead at the interval.
Sevilla improved in the second period, but late goals from Raul Garcia and Raul Jimenez made it a comfortable evening for the champions.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla. As it stands, Atletico sit fourth in the table on 11 points, while Sevilla sit third on 13 points. Both sides are unbeaten in their opening five league matches, but something has to give this evening. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Ansaldi; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Turan; Saul; Mandzukic
SEVILLA: Beto; Diogo, Pareja, Carrico; Kolo; Tremoulinas, Krychowiak, M'Bia; Vidal, Bacca, Vitolo
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Atletico have won two of the last five matches, with the further three ending in draws. Atletico did beat Sevilla 3-1 at the Estadio Ramon last season, but were held to a 1-1 draw on their own patch in January. Both sides enter the match off the back of 1-0 wins, meanwhile, with Atletico beating Almeria and Sevilla overcoming Real Sociedad during the week.
Here we go then. Just a reminder of the main team news. Mario Mandzukic returns to the Atletico XI this evening following a broken nose, while Saul is also handed a start. For Sevilla, there is no space for either Gerard Deulofeu or Denis Suarez, but Vidal and Carlos Bacca are both in the XI. Interesting selections!
Barcelona and Real Madrid have both won this afternoon. Now it is over to these two teams. It promises to be a wonderful evening of football as the away side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
Diego Simeone is back on the touchline for the home side this evening, which should make a big difference. As expected, it has been a fast start from Atletico, with Turan and Gabi both enjoying touches of the ball. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this evening.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the opening four minutes of this contest, but Sevilla are causing problems with their willingness to press straight through the middle. It has been end-to-end thus far, but neither side has been able to find that elusive pass in the final third.
Turan is involved in a wide position for the home side after combining with Juanfran, but his cross is straight into the arms of Beto. Mandzukic is the target for Turan moments later, but the big Croatian is adjudged to have felled Carrico and Sevilla have a free kick with their goalkeeper. Still goalless here.
Bacca remains a threat through the middle for Sevilla, but the away side have been unable to feed a pass into the striker thus far. In keeping with the end-to-end period of the match, Mandzukic finds Gabi, but the Spaniard is met by three white shirts. Plenty happening in the early stages at the Vicente Calderon.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes due to a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. However, still no yellow card in the capital.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but both teams continue to share the possession. Juanfran is again involved down the right for the home side, but the cross is cleared before Saul fouls Vitolo in attempt to regain the ball. It has been a little scrappy in the last few minutes.
Vitolo has been more involved for Sevilla in the last couple of minutes, with the Spaniard threatening with a cross from the right, but there are no takers inside the box. Moments later, Atletico have a free kick following a push on Gabi. It has been a little bit like that in the opening 15 minutes of football.
BOOKING! Timothee goes into the back of the net for the away side following a really poor challenge on Gabi in the middle of the park. Very poor from the Sevilla midfielder.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Sevilla (Koke)
The home side take the lead with 19 minutes on the clock as Koke finds the top corner from outside the box. It took a big deflection off Pareja, but Koke will claim it. First blood to Atletico!
BOOKING! Pareja goes into the book for Sevilla for a high challenge on Mandzukic.
Atletico have started to move through the gears in the last couple of moments, with Koke and Saul both involved in the final third. The latter wants a penalty after seemingly finding the hand of Pareja inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been harsh that is for certain.
Sevilla look short of ideas at the moment, which is a surprise for a team that has such talent and one that has made an impressive start to the season. Vitolo attempts to slide a pass towards Bacca, but the Colombian cannot move past the challenge of Godin, who releases Juanfran down the other end.
SAVE! Wonderful goalkeeping from Beto as the Sevilla stopper keeps out a header from Gabi. Not the best defending from the visitors, who left the Atletico skipper all alone.
Half-chance for Atletico as Ansaldi fires a strike from outside the box, but his effort moves just wide of the post. Mandzukic attempts to make contact, but cannot grow that extra inch. Still 1-0 Atletico.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side are in control of the contest. Sevilla deliver a free kick into the Atletico box through Vitolo, but Miranda wins the header.
Atletico come close to creating another chance as Turan wins possession in the middle of the park before sliding a pass towards Mandzukic, but Beto is out to clear at the vital moment. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Sevilla have hardly threatened. Unai Emery has much to ponder at this stage.
Just as I mention a lack of Sevilla threat, Bacca bursts into life as he drives past two defenders inside the Atletico box, but the forward loses control at the vital moment and Atletico have a goal kick.
In truth, not too much has happened this half in terms of clear chances. Atletico are comfortable in the latter stages of the half, with Sevilla short of ideas. I suspect that we could see a very different second period, with Sevilla boss Emery having the chance to address his team in little over five minutes.
Vitolo has space in the final third for Sevilla, but the Spaniard cannot produce a cross as Moya comes to collect. Koke attempts to feed Mandzukic down the other end, but the Croatian cannot catch the pass.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Sevilla (Saul)
Saul has his first goal for Atletico as the Spaniard converts from close range following a volley from Miranda. A confident header from the youngster has put Atletico in full control here.
Is that game over? Sevilla have a long way to come back in Madrid.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 2-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end, with Atletico leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Koke and Saul. Sevilla have struggled to create clear openings in the first 45 minutes, but Bacca has been a threat. It promises to be a fascinating second half of football at the Vicente Calderon.
STATS! Atletico have had more of the ball with 54%, while they have had three attempts, two of which have been on target. Sevilla, however, have not had a single attempt thus far, which tells you everything that you need to know about their attacking threat in the opening half of football in Madrid.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Griezmann, Garcia and Jimenez. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Aspas, Suarez and Deulofeu in reserve. Both managers have the tools to influence proceedings from the sidelines this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Sevilla respond? Or will Atletico secure another three points? The home side get the second period underway in Madrid.
SUBS! Atletico make one change at the break with Garcia replacing Gabi. Meanwhile, Sevilla have made two changes with Banega and Suarez on for Timothee and Vitolo.
It has been a bright start to the second period, with both teams forcing the issue in the final third. Banega thread a pass into Bacca, but Miranda is across to clear at the vital moment. Down the other end, Mandzukic is just denied by Pareja. The next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this evening.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. You just get the feeling that a red card could arrive in this second period. A number of players are currently testing the patience of the referee.
Half-chance for Mandzukic as Saul delivers a cross towards the far post, but Pareja just about does enough to challenge the Croatian. Another for Atletico would surely end this match as a contest.
Still not too much from Sevilla in the second period, with Bacca struggling for service in the final third. Atletico are down the other end with Garcia moments later, but the Spaniard cannot find Turan with his cross. Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining in the Spanish capital.
It has been a stop-start match all evening and that is the pattern in the second period. Koke has a half-chance for Atletico after finding some space outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post.
BOOKING! Koke goes into the book for Atletico for a late challenge on Vidal. There was not much in it, but the Spaniard is now rolling around on the ground. Not good to see.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Banega meets a loose ball inside the Atletico box, but Miranda makes a fine block at the vital moment. The next goal is vital, but Sevilla just cannot find a way through this defence.
CHANCE! Brilliant chance for Atletico to make it 3-0 as Juanfran finds the head of Mandzukic, but the Croatian's effort is just wide of the post. Moments later, Beto denies Turan from outside the box.
SUB! Atletico make their second change as Griezmann replaces Saul.
Sevilla have just started to threaten in the last couple of minutes with a series of crosses from wide positions, but Atletico remain strong in their own box. Mbia attempts to challenge Moya, but fouls the Atletico goalkeeper in the process. Little over 20 minutes of this contest remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Garcia drives a powerful cross towards Griezmann, but the Frenchman cannot convert from close range. Sevilla are down the other end with Bacca moments later, but the striker cannot rise above the challenge of Godin, who has been solid this evening.
SUB! Third and final change for Atletico as Jimenez replaces Mandzukic.
Little over 15 minutes of this contest remaining and still Atletico lead 2-0. Sevilla have improved in the second period, but are still struggling to create clear opportunities in the capital.
SUB! Sevilla make their third and final change as Deulofeu replaces Vidal.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances as we approach the final 10 minutes of this La Liga contest. Atletico are worth their lead and have been the more progressive in the second period.
PENALTY ATLETICO!
Atletico have a penalty as Griezmann is clattered by Diogo. Definite penalty.
GOAL! Atletico 3-0 Sevilla (Garcia, pen)
Atletico have their third as Garcia rolls his penalty into the bottom corner.
Simeone continues to act as the conductor on the sidelines as his team close on another win this evening. Sevilla have been below their best this evening, but Atletico must be credited for their performance.
GOAL! Atletico 4-0 Sevilla (Jimenez)
Jimenez has his first goal for Atletico as the Mexican heads a Koke free kick past Beto. Brilliant moment for the striker, who arrived from Mexican football in the summer.
FULL-TIME: Atletico 4-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. Atletico continue their strong start to the season with a 4-0 win over Sevilla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!