Villarreal are the new leaders in La Liga after Leo Baptistao's goal gave the Yellow Submarines victory over Atletico Madrid.

The home side had an early chance to take the lead at El Madrigal when Jonathan dos Santos teed up Manu Trigueros, but the midfielder skied his shot over the bar.

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However, Villarreal edged in front on 14 minutes as Roberto Soldado found Baptistao and the forward drilled his effort low to the right of keeper Jan Oblak.

Atleti almost produced an immediate response when ex-Porto forward Jackson Martinez brought a save out of Alphonse Areola.

On the stroke of half time, Diego Simeone's men missed another chance to equalise after Antoine Griezmann hit the target, but was denied by Areola.

The Rojiblancos could have snatched a point late on when Filipe Luis's cross was met by Angel Correa, but he failed to direct his header on target as Villarreal moved one point clear of Barcelona.