Atletico Madrid have moved into third position in La Liga after recording a 5-1 win away to Las Palmas on Sunday night.
Atletico scored twice in the first five minutes in Gran Canaria, before netting a third through Koke in the 62nd minute - four minutes after Jonathan Calleri had helped Las Palmas back into the match.
Koke then grabbed his second of the night in the 75th minute, before Thomas Partey made it five late on as the capital outfit picked up their first three points of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Gran Canaria as Las Palmas welcome Atletico Madrid for what should be an entertaining game of football. Las Palmas opened their 2017-18 league season with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Valencia, while Atletico were held to a 2-2 draw by Girona. Will either side put three points on the board tonight? Stay tuned to find out!
Atletico and Las Palmas met four times across two separate competitions last season, and Atletico were victorious on three occasions. Diego Simeone's side won both league matches – 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon and 5-0 in Gran Canaria – and also overcame the Canary islanders in the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 4-3 success. There were some cracking matches between these two teams last season.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Any changes from the opening weekend of the season? Well, Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann is suspended for one! Let's have a look at the two XIs that will take to the field here...
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TEAMS!
LAS PALMAS: Chichizola; Simon, Lemos, Bigas, D.Castellano; Hernan, Fabio; Viera, Momo, Tana; Calleri
ATLETICO: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Lucas; Saul, Thomas, Koke, Carrasco; Vietto, Correa
Alen Halilovic misses out for Las Palmas tonight after picking up a red card against Valencia last weekend. Winger Vitolo is also absent against his parent club, which has allowed Momo and Fabio Gonzalez to come into the XI. Former West Ham United forward Jonathan Calleri will again lead the line following his debut last week, meaning that Sergio Araujo must make do with a spot on the bench.
Atletico boss Simeone, meanwhile, has made five changes to the team that started last weekend's 2-2 draw with Girona. As mentioned, Griezmann is suspended, while Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Gabi and Fernando Torres all drop out. Thomas Partey is among those to come into the first selection, while Luciano Vietto and Angel Correa form a youthful and indeed exciting front two for the visitors.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Gran Canaria. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico, who as mentioned, opened their new La Liga campaign with a 2-2 draw at Girona last weekend.
Girona actually led 10-man Atletico 2-0 entering the final 12 minutes of football last weekend, but Angel Correa cut the score to 2-1 in the 78th minute, before Jose Gimenez levelled five minutes from time. All things considered, it was a good point for Atletico, who have been quiet in this summer's transfer market due to a ban, which looks to have cost them the chance to re-sign Diego Costa from Chelsea. That deal, however, might well still take place. A possible loan elsewhere first? Everton want him!
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Atletico found it difficult to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga last season, and Simeone's side ultimately finished 15 points behind the champions Real Madrid. The capital club did manage to finish third ahead of Sevilla, but it could well be a difficult season. We are still very early in the campaign, but you do get the feeling that Atletico need a positive result tonight.
Atletico's first three games of the new La Liga campaign are away from home. That started with Girona last week, while they will travel to Valencia after the international break. That is due to their new stadium – the Wanda Metropolitano – still being prepared for action. Their first home game of the new season is due to take place against Malaga on September 16, although there are reports in the local press that claim that work around the ground will not be completed in time. We shall see!
⏱ ¡Momentos previos al #LasPalmasAtleti!
📍 ¡Ya estamos en el estadio! 👌 ¿Preparados?#AúpaAtleti #LasPalmasAtleti pic.twitter.com/Fe0H3CZM5V — Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 26, 2017
Next month will also see the return of the Champions League, and Atletico have been drawn in Group C alongside Chelsea, Qarabag and Roma. Atletico's first group match is away to Roma on September 12, and with the greatest of respect to Qarabag, you sense that it will be a brilliant battle between Atletico, Chelsea and Roma for the right to make the knockout stage of the competition.
Atletico only lost three of their 19 away league matches last season, but they shared the points on seven occasions, and starting the campaign with three straight away matches is a tough task. Simeone's side will surely be good enough for another top-three finish this season, but it is difficult to imagine the capital club challenging Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit.
As for Las Palmas, the Canary islanders are under new management this season after Quique Setien left in May to take charge of Real Betis. Manolo Marquez has stepped forward from Las Palmas B to manage the first team, and a disappointing start to the new campaign saw La UD lose 1-0 at Valencia.
You can't miss our first @LaLiga home match. Check your time zone! pic.twitter.com/EavVQYsUMA — UDLP English (@UDLP_english) August 26, 2017
Las Palmas finished 14th in La Liga last season – winning 10 of their 38 matches, collecting 39 points in the process. Dating back to the 2016-17 campaign, Las Palmas have actually lost their last six in the league, and have not tasted success in the top flight since April 9. They really struggled in the latter stages of last season, with many players on the beach once their safety had been secured.
Key midfielder Roque Mesa moved on to Swansea City earlier this summer, while Kevin-Prince Boateng has left on a free transfer. Las Palmas have managed to acquire the loan services of Sergi Samper, Vitolo and Calleri, however, while Ximo Navarro and Leandro Chichizola have also arrived. There is a new look to the team this season, but it is still a squad packed full of talent and ability.
Las Palmas were strong at home last season – winning nine of their 19 matches, and suffering just four defeats. They struggled on the road, however, winning just once, and collecting just six points. There is a great deal of pressure on Las Palmas being strong at home again this season, and tonight provides the perfect opportunity to show their credentials. Kickoff is now just around the corner!
KICKOFF! Atletico kick things off in Gran Canaria...
... far from a full house inside the stadium tonight, but there is a decent atmosphere, and the home side's supporters will be looking for a response from the defeat at Valencia last time out.
GOAL! Las Palmas 0-1 Atletico (Correa)
Oh my word, what a goal! Atletico make the breakthrough in the third minute as Correa dances into the Las Palmas box before poking the ball into the bottom corner. Super work from Correa!
GOAL! Las Palmas 0-2 Atletico (Carrasco)
Atletico double their lead in the fifth minute as Carrasco works some space inside the Las Palmas box before flashing his effort into the bottom corner. Simon needed to do more there!
Las Palmas just have not started here, with the home side struggling to deal with Atletico's intensity in the opening eight minutes. The Las Palmas supporters are not best pleased, and that might be the understatement of the century. What a start to the match from Simeone's side.
Better from Las Palmas in the last couple of minutes, with Tana and Momo starting to see possession of the ball. The latter has the chance to deliver a free kick into the Atletico box, but Oblak comes through the crowd to claim. It is going to be so tough for Las Palmas to bounce back tonight.
Las Palmas have settled in the last few minutes, but has it come too late? Not many teams score three times against Atletico, although Girona did net twice against the capital giants last weekend. Las Palmas simply have to score the next goal if they are to have any chance of a comeback here.
BOOKING! Hernan (Las Palmas) is booked for a heavy challenge on Lucas.
Las Palmas are seeing plenty of the ball in Atletico's half of the field, but the home side are yet to create a meaningful chance. This match is set up perfectly for Atletico's fast counter-attack.
Viera dances into the Atletico box before going down under a challenge from Lucas, but the referee is not interested. In truth, it was more the supporters calling for the penalty than the players.
Las Palmas boss Marquez does not seem very happy at the moment, and who can blame him. His team are seeing more of the ball, but they look like conceding every time that Atletico break forward.
Las Palmas continue to enjoy possession in the final third of the field, but the team are in yellow are finding it difficult to break this Atletico defence. Chances have been few and far between for both teams tonight since Carrasco made it 2-0 with a cracking finish in the fifth minute.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side as Viera strikes towards goal, but Oblak, who saw it late, manages to make the save. It almost drops for Calleri, but the danger is cleared!
BOOKING! Bigas (Las Palmas) is booked for a pull on Saul.
Still 2-0 Atletico with 26 minutes on the clock, but Las Palmas are playing much better here.
Atletico have had a number of chances to counter-attack in the last few minutes, but the final pass has been disappointing. Las Palmas are the better team at the moment, but Oblak has not really been tested aside from that effort from Viera. The hosts need a goal back before the break here.
Viera hits one from distance, but his effort was always over the crossbar.
Lemos has a go from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
Quite a scrappy game in the last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. There is no onus on Atletico to make this an open game at the moment.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Atletico still lead 2-0 courtesy of goals from Correa and Carrasco inside the opening five minutes. The capital side have not had many chances since then, but a dangerous cross from Carrasco has just caused panic inside the Las Palmas box.
Viera is fortunate to escape a yellow card after following through on Gimenez.
BOOKINGS! Fabio (Las Palmas) and Vietto (Atletico) are both booked after tussling inside the Las Palmas box. The pair just would not leave each other alone!
Atletico are relentless in their pressing at the moment as the visitors continue to regain the ball high up the field. Las Palmas are a very, very frustrated football team approaching the interval.
Better from Las Palmas as they work the ball forward before Tana slides a pass into Simon, but Lucas is across to make the block, and Atletico clear the resulting corner. Still 2-0 to the visitors.
Vietto, who has been booked, is a touch fortunate not to be sent off for kicking out at Viera!
Lemos just misses the crossbar with a free kick from distance.
HALF-TIME: Las Palmas 0-2 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading Las Palmas 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Correa and Carrasco inside the opening five minutes. The home side responded well to the early setback, but Atletico have kept their two-goal lead in tact.
STATISTICS! Las Palmas have shaded the first-half possession with 56%, but the Canary islanders only hit the target with one of their five attempts. Atletico, on the other hand, hit the target with both of their attempts. Four bookings to report here - Hernan, Bigas, Gonzalez and Vietto.
BENCH WATCH! Gabi, Kevin Gameiro, Fernando Torres and Juanfran are all on a very experienced Atletico bench tonight. Las Palmas, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Araujo, Macedo and Navarro. Will we see any changes at the interval? Araujo would surely be the one for Las Palmas.
RESTART! Las Palmas resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Las Palmas simply have to score the next goal if they are to have any chance of getting back into this football match. It has been a decent start to the second period from the Canary islanders, but Atletico are very dangerous on the counter-attack, especially through Carrasco and Vietto.
Half-chance for Atletico as Correa pokes a pass through to Carrasco, but the Belgian cannot find the space to release a shot. Both teams are threatening at the start of the second period.
Koke flashes a low cross into the Las Palmas box, but Chichizola is on hand to collect. Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not helping the home side.
Oblak comfortably keeps out a free kick from Lemos.
ATLETICO SUB! Gabi replaces Vietto in Atletico's first change.
Las Palmas are all over the place at the back, but the offside flag prevents Atletico from having another big chance to score. Still more than 30 minutes of football to play in Gran Canaria tonight.
CLOSE! Carrasco whistles one just wide of the Las Palmas goal!
GOAL! Las Palmas 1-2 Atletico (Calleri)
Game on! Las Palmas are back in this football match as Calleri rises inside the Atletico box to head a brilliant Momo cross into the back of the net. Still more than 30 minutes to play here!
Calleri is causing Atletico's back four all sorts of problems at the moment as the former West Ham United striker continues to put himself about. Godin in particular is getting frustrated.
GOAL! Las Palmas 1-3 Atletico (Koke)
Atletico restore their two-goal advantage in Gran Canaria as Koke finds the top corner with a brilliant finish after a loose clearance from Bigas. Wonderful finish from the Spain international.
ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaces Correa for the away side.
LAS PALMAS SUB! Araujo replaces Fabio for the home side.
Still at least 25 minutes of football to play in this match, and maybe Las Palmas still have something to offer. Atletico are quite open at the back, which is not like them.
BOOKING! Viera (Las Palmas) is booked for dissent.
ATLETICO SUB! Vrsaljko is replaced by Savic for Atletico.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in Gran Canaria, and it is difficult to see Atletico losing from this position. In truth, the opening five minutes absolutely killed Las Palmas tonight.
As it stands, Atletico are heading for third position in La Liga.
GOAL! Las Palmas 1-4 Atletico (Koke)
Atletico have their fourth and Koke has his second as the Spaniard produces a wonderful over-head kick inside the Las Palmas box after Carrasco's effort had been deflected into a dangerous area!
LAS PALMAS SUB! Benito and J.Castellano replace Momo and Simon.
Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining here, and it would not be a surprise to see another goal in the latter stages. Some of the defending from Las Palmas has been really poor here.
LAS PALMAS PENALTY!
Las Palmas have a penalty as Viera is felled inside the box by Thomas!
SAVE! Oblak keeps out Viera's penalty!
Oblak, by the way, is a wonderful, wonderful goalkeeper. It is thought that Manchester United are keeping close tabs on the 24-year-old with De Gea almost certain to one day join Real Madrid.
Half-chance for Viera, but the winger misses the crossbar with an effort from distance.
Just a reminder that Barcelona recorded a 2-0 victory at Alaves earlier tonight. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will host Valencia tomorrow in what should be a wonderful game. It is Real Sociedad that currently sit top of the table, however, after winning both of their first two league games.
GOAL! Las Palmas 1-5 Atletico (Thomas)
Thomas makes it five with a brilliant effort from the edge of the box!
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
FULL-TIME: Las Palmas 1-5 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico recording a 5-1 win over a poor Las Palmas team to move into third position in La Liga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
