Goals either side of half time from Jose Gimenez and Mario Mandzukic have handed Atletico Madrid a comfortable 2-0 victory over home side Elche in La Liga this afternoon, lifting Diego Simeone's charges into second place in the Spanish top flight.

Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Gimenez celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Elche FC vs Club Atletico Madrid at the Martin Valero stadium in Valencia on December 6, 2014 © Getty Images

Following a rather frantic opening start, Atletico seized on their first major opportunity in the 17th minute as centre-back Gimenez lashed home a world-class shot into the top corner after the ball fell to him inside the Elche box.

The hosts could barely get a touch on the ball in the first half as they sought to retrieve possession from a dominant Madrid side, but youngster Faycal Fajr did his best to carve something out with an enterprising dink to the back post, leaving Miguel Angel Moya to make a good clearance.

Fajr appeared to be the shining light in a fairly workman-like Elche side and he almost created another opportunity going into the final minutes of the first 45 with a teasing cross, only for his efforts to be nullified by some adroit defending from Diego Godin who was on hand to keep his side in the lead.

Atletico continued their dominance in the second half and they doubled the lead in the 53rd minute when Gabi slipped in Mandzukic, who beat the keeper at his near post despite taking the ball wider than required.

Arda Turan tried to put the game to bed in the 59th minute, but keeper Przemyslaw Tyton had other ideas as he pulled out a fine stop to prevent the midfielder's shot down low.

Elche perhaps sensed that one goal could change the game and they almost grabbed it when Victor bent in an effort from distance that scraped just wide of the post, leaving Madrid to escape with all three points and a clean sheet.