Atletico move joint top with win at Elche

MADRID, Nov 30, 2013 (AFP) - Atletico Madrid moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after goals from Koke and Diego Costa gave them a hard-fought 2-0 win at Elche on Saturday.

After a first-half devoid of clear-cut scoring opportunities, Atletico took the lead on 63 minutes when Koke bundled home from close range.

Costa had endured a quiet afternoon by his standards, but he doubled the advantage 11 minutes later as he raced onto Adrian Lopez's through ball before slotting home his 18th goal of the season.

Real Madrid can also move to within three points of the leaders when they host Valladolid later on Saturday, whilst Barcelona aren't in action until Sunday when they travel to fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone recalled six first-team regulars who had been rested for Tuesday's 1-1 draw away to Zenit St Petersburg.

However, the visitors still found it difficult to create openings in the first-half against a well-organised Elche side.

Indeed it was the home side that had the better of the chances early on as Coro and Richmond Boakye fired just off target.

Atletico improved as the half went on and Arda Turan also saw a fierce strike from distance fly just over before Damian Suarez blocked Diego Costa's goalbound effort after Manuel Herrera had flapped at a cross.

The second-half started in similar fashion as Carlos Gil forced a fine flying save from Thibaut Courtois to keep Atletico on level terms.

Simeone's men finally made the breakthrough though just after the hour mark as Herrera spilled Raul Garcia's shot from the edge of the area and Koke slotted home the rebound despite claims from the home side that Costa had fouled Alberto Botia in the build-up.

If Elche felt hard done by in the decision to award the opener, they were handed a lifeline five minutes later when Arda Turan had a goal harshly ruled out for a foul on Herrera after pouncing on another error from the keeper.

However, Atletico made the game safe 16 minutes from time when substitute Adrian lifted a lovely ball over the top of the Elche defence and Costa took his time before firing across Herrera into the net.

kca/ea