Atletico Madrid put their La Liga title challenge back on track by thrashing Eibar 5-0 yesterday to go four points clear at the top of the table.
Four wins in 11 league games had seen Atletico’s 10-point advantage in February reduced to one before this weekend, with Real Madrid and Barcelona threatening to overtake the leaders during the run-in.
But a thumping victory over struggling Eibar may prove the spark to turn Atletico’s form around while also putting pressure on Real Madrid, who play at Getafe later on Sunday.
Fourth-placed Sevilla, six points adrift, could yet join the race after they defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 earlier on Saturday.
Barcelona, who beat Athletic Bilbao to win the Copa del Rey on Saturday, are five points off the top, with their next game on Thursday at home to Granada.
Atletico’s problems were deepened by an injury to their top scorer Luis Suarez earlier this month but Marcos Llorente and Angel Correa filled the void, both scoring twice either side of Yannick Carrasco making it three just after half-time.
It is the first time Atletico have scored five goals since they hammered Cadiz back in September, a comfortable win appearing almost cathartic for a team that have struggled so much for goals in recent weeks.
Eibar stay rooted to the bottom of the table, while games against Huesca, Athletic Bilbao and Elche should now offer Atletico a chance to regain momentum before a crunch trip to Barcelona on May 8.

RESULTS
- Real Sociedad 1 (Fernandez Luna 5) Sevilla 2 (Fernando 22, En-Nesyri 24)
- Osasuna 2 (Barja 38, Gonzalez Polanco 68-og) Elche 0
- Alaves 1 (Battaglia 85) SD Huesca 0
- Atletico Madrid 5 (Correa 42, 44, Carrasco 49, Llorente 53, 68) Eibar 0
- Cadiz 0 Celta Vigo 0
- Real Betis 2 (Fekir 12, Canales 42) Valencia 2 (Guedes 22, Soler 61-pen)