Kevin Gameiro ended Atletico Madrid’s goal drought on the road as Diego Simeone’s men ground out a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo yesterday to leapfrog Real Madrid into third in La Liga.
Atletico’s attacking options while they wait for Diego Costa’s return in January have been much criticised in recent weeks, particularly after a 0-0 draw at Azerbaijani champions Qarabag on Wednesday left their chances of reaching the Champions League last 16 in peril.
However, on his first league start of the season, Gameiro fired home a loose ball from a corner from close range on 28 minutes.
It was only the second away game in Atletico’s last six in which Los Rojiblancos have found the net and they set about to defend their lead.
Despite the sparse crowd at Balaidos caused by the closure of a stand on security grounds, Celta swarmed forward after the break.
Jan Oblak produced fine saves to deny Iago Aspas and in stoppage time from John Guidetti, while Aspas also clipped the bar with a free-kick.
And Celta were also left furious at the referee after Atletico captain Gabi appeared to handle inside the area on the hour mark.
However, Atletico held on to maintain their unbeaten start to La Liga and move back to within six points of leaders Barcelona.
Earlier, Villarreal’s revival under new coach Javier Calleja continued with a 4-0 thrashing of Las Palmas.

Results
Villarreal 4 (Bakambu 48, Gaspar 65, Navarro 67-og, Sansone 90+2) Las Palmas 0 
Celta Vigo 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (Gameiro 28) 
Played Saturday
Levante 1 (Morales 62) Getafe 1 (Fajr 58)
Real Betis 2 (Sanabria 13, Alexis 75-og) Alaves 0
Valencia 4 (Guedes 43, 90+1, Zaza 51, Mina 85) Sevilla 0
Barcelona 2 (Deulofeu 2, Iniesta 56) Malaga 0

Barcelona and Valencia move clear at the top of La Liga
Madrid: A controversial Gerard Deulofeu strike sent Barcelona on their way to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Malaga on Saturday as they stretched their lead at the top of La Liga.
In the second minute at the Nou Camp, the ball clearly ran out of play before Lucas Digne crossed for Deulofeu, who flicked it in with a superb backheel, leaving Malaga irate.
Barcelona struggled to break the visitors down as they searched for a second, which came in the 56th minute when captain Andres Iniesta fired a deflected strike home.
Luis Suarez missed a golden opportunity as the Catalans failed to score a third but still moved four points clear of second-placed Valencia, who beat Sevilla 4-0.
“For me it’s legal. I believed it (stayed on), that’s why I continued,” Deulofeu said on Spanish television afterwards.
In the wake of protests in the city following the Spanish government’s move to reduce the autonomy of Catalonia, the atmosphere was charged.
However things were much quieter on the pitch after Deulofeu’s opener, with Barcelona struggling to break down Malaga and even Lionel Messi finding it tough until he fed Iniesta for the second.
Suarez should have increased the lead when Sergi Roberto played him in but fired wide with the goal gaping, continuing a personal run of poor form with only three goals this season in all competitions. Deulofeu backed his team mate to recover quickly.
“(His goal) will come, it’s the same as Leo (Messi). They are players who get a lot of chances, in the next game they will score,” said the former Everton winger.
Ernesto Valverde also defended Suarez, saying the Uruguayan is a crucial component in the side, whether he scores or not.
“The aggression that he has always gives him chances. The more he misses the better, it means that he’s there. He’s priceless for us,” explained the coach.
Unlike Suarez, unbeaten Barcelona are in excellent shape and this was their eighth victory in nine league games, keeping them four points clear of Valencia.