Atletico Madrid welcomed Celta Vigo to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday looking to make it eight wins from eight La Liga fixtures.
Diego Costa passed up the chance to send the home side into an early lead from the penalty spot, but the striker did convert late in the half to leave Atletico with a one-goal lead at the interval.
Costa moved onto 10 league goals for the season as he completed his brace after 62 minutes, but Nolito had one back for the away side 10 minutes later.
Celta forced the issue in the latter stages, but they could not make the breakthrough as Atletico moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of the division.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Our La Liga coverage begins in Madrid as Atletico welcome Celta Vigo to the Vicente Calderon. It had been questioned whether Atletico could maintain their standard from last season after selling Radamel Falcao in the summer. However, not only have they maintained their form, they have moved up another level in the early part of the season.
As it stands, they sit second in the table, three points behind Barcelona, who have played one game more. The capital outfit have won all seven of their league matches thus far, but their star moment came last weekend in the Bernabeu when a Diego Costa strike handed them all three points against Real Madrid. Indeed, they were more than worth the win.
They have also picked up two wins in the Champions League this season with a 3-1 win over Zenit St Petersburg followed by a 2-1 win in Porto, which ended the Portuguese side’s five-year unbeaten run in their own stadium. That was without the services of Diego Costa, who has found the net eight times in the league thus far this season.
Diego Simeone’s side had the best defensive record in the league last season and that remains the case at this stage of the campaign having conceded just five times in their seven matches thus far, keeping three clean sheets in the process. Down the other end, they have scored 19 times, which is a total only bettered by Barcelona.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO MADRID: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Turan, Costa, Villa
CELTA VIGO: Yoel; Mallo, Costas, Fontas, Toni; Oubina, Lopez; Rafinha, Augusto, Krohn-Dehli; Charles
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Atletico XI this morning with Diego Costa returning after missing the Porto win through suspension. Diego Godin is also fit to start despite a reported hamstring injury. Celta, meanwhile, name an attacking lineup with Michael Krohn-Dehli coming into the attack. Brazilian pair Rafinha and Charles also continue in the final third.
Celta currently sit 16th in the table having taken just six points from their first seven matches. It was always going to be a difficult season after losing key players in the summer and that has proved the case thus far. The last thing they would want, having lost three of their last four, would be to travel to the Vicente Calderon.
Defensively, Celta have been fairly solid thus far with 10 goals conceded in their first seven matches, which is just one more than Real Madrid. However, they have struggled to find the back of the net with just seven goals in their first seven games. In truth, how they fare this season will not depend on their results at places such as the Vicente Calderon.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Celta. Atletico have won three of the last five, with the remaining two ending in a share of the spoils. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-0 win in December 2012, before Atletico collected all three points with a 3-1 win in Vigo.
PREDICTION: Celta will take heart from the fact that Atletico enter this match off the back of a difficult trip to Porto in the week. That said, it is difficult to imagine anything other than a comprehensive home win in the Spanish capital. Celta have named an extremely attacking XI, which could play into Atletico's hands. I am backing a 3-0 win for Diego Simeone's side.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. As expected, the home supporters have turned up in their numbers at the Vicente Calderon. The home side get the action underway as morning becomes afternoon in the Spanish capital.
Atletico have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes with the likes of Suarez and Gabi both enjoying plenty of the ball. The latter releases Juanfran down the right, who delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Hugo Mallo is across to make the clearance. Celta are under immediate pressure here.
It has been the quick start that we expected from the home side as Luis drives down the left moments later before driving a low cross into the box - it appears to hit the arm of Fernandez, but the referee is not interested. Incredible tempo to proceedings inside the opening four minutes. An early goal would certainly settle everyone down.
First sign of Celta as an attacking threat as Fernandez moves down the left before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but it moves over the head of everyone and out for a goal kick. Turan is down the other end moments later, but the Turkish international is felled by Mallo outside the box. Free kick for the capital outfit on the left.
Koke whips the resulting free kick into the box, but Fontas is on hand to clear the danger. Alexis Lopez attempts to lead a counter for Celta down the other end, but Gabi comes across to fell the Spaniard. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides prepared to commit players into the final third.
Celta cannot get out of their own box at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the away side's half. A half-chance arrives for Juanfran finds the head of Costa inside the box, but the striker's effort is just wide of the post. Wonderful work from the Spanish right-back. The end-to-end tempo of the match continues with 10 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match arrives for David Villa as the Spaniard collects a through pass from Costa before advancing on goal, but he brings a fine save out of Yoel. The ball drops to Turan moments later, but the Turkish international's effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
One-way traffic in the last couple of moments as the home side continue to force the issue down each wing. Juanfran and Luis are almost operating as wingers with the full-back pair prepared to depart their own half each time there is an attack. Without sounding like a broken record, the noise is just deafening inside the stadium. Atletico Madrid is the place to be at the moment there is no question about that.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but Celta are really struggling to put that stamp on the match with Atletico utterly in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that the away side need to score first if they are to take something from the match. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock in the Vicente Calderon.
Luis continues to operate in the Celta half as he wins a corner from Mallo. The resulting set piece is delivered into the box by Koke, but Mallo clears for another corner, which is also cleared. The pressure is certainly rising, but just the one clear chance for Atletico thus far, with Villa bringing a fine save from Yoel.
It just isn't quite happening for Atletico at the moment as Yoel continues to gather deep crosses into the box. Celta attempt to launch a counter of their own through Toni, but Juanfran is across to make the challenge. The away side have not been anywhere near the Atletico goal thus far. Courtois has barely touched the ball aside from a couple of goal kicks.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Luis is felled outside the box by Borja Oubina. The resulting set piece is whipped into the area by Koke, but his cross is too wide for Juanfran. The home side continue to control the possession, but chances have been few and far between thus far. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock.
PENALTY TO ATLETICO!
Atletico are awarded a penalty as Luis is chopped down by David Costas inside the box. It will be Diego Costa to take. Can he make it nine league goals for the season?
SAVE! Yoel denies Costa's penalty as he makes a smart save to his left. It falls to Villa, but his effort is just wide of the post. How good has Yoel been this season?!
The home side continue to force the issue with a series of deep crosses into the box, but Celta manage to survive before breaking. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment with the intensity of the match just incredible. Somehow it is still goalless with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
One-way traffic as Atletico continue to force the issue in the final third, but Celta are holding on at the moment. Another deep corner from Gabi is met by an Atletico head, but Miranda's effort is wide of the post. It does appear that the goal is coming as Celta continue to struggle to keep hold of the ball.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Celta enjoying their best spell of possession in the opening 33 minutes. A long punt from Juanfran threatens to find the run of Costa moments later, but Yoel is out to clear once more. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
CHANCE! Another opportunity falls to Costa inside the Celta box, but the striker can only fire his header high and wide of the crossbar. He should have moved onto double figures for the season in the first period. A goal before the interval would certainly settle some nerves inside the stadium.
Atletico call for another penalty as Costa goes down inside the box under a challenge from Yoel, but the referee is not interested and rightly so. It would have been a harsh decision there is no question about that. If Celta can hold Atletico until half time then it would give them something to build from in the second. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Koke as the Atletico midfielder meets a bouncing ball outside the box, but Yoel is on hand to make the save. Turan has an opportunity from close range moments later, but he can only place his effort into the arms of Yoel. How on earth is still match still goalless?! It would be fair to say that Celta have ridden their luck thus far.
Half-chance for Celta this time as Charles finds some space in the final third before delivering a low cross into the box, but Miranda is on hand to make the clearance. A deep cross comes into the Atletico box moments later, but Courtois is on hand to collect with relative ease. Not too much more to come in the first period, with the scores still level at 0-0.
Another half-chance for Costa as the striker finds some space inside the box before attempting to fire his effort towards goal, but it takes a deflection before moving high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered low by Koke, but Toni manages to hook clear, before Yoel denies Turan from close range.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Celta (Costa)
Finally Atletico make the breakthrough in the latter stages of the first period as Costa turns Luis's cross into the back of the net from close range. The striker just could not miss. What a time to score as we enter the final stages of the first period.
You can almost sense the relief inside the stadium. The fourth official indicates that we will play one additional minute at the end of the half. Celta really need the half-time whistle to arrive as Yoel is on hand to deny Villa from close range. A second goal could kill this one off.
HALF TIME: Atletico 1-0 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a close-range finish from Costa in the latter stages of the half. It could and perhaps should have been more, however, with Costa missing from the penalty spot earlier in the first period. Celta stopper Yoel has been the standout player thus far.
STATISTICS: Atletico have had more of the possession with 58%, while they have had 13 attempts - seven of which have been on target - to Celta's zero. The only surprise is that the score is as close as it is. Atletico should be out of sight. It has been another impressive 45 minutes of football from Diego Simeone's side.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Rodriguez, Leo Baptistao and the highly-rated youngster Oliver Torres. Meanwhile, Celta have the likes of Madinda, Jonny Castro and Santi Mina in reserve. It would not be a surprise to see Luis Enrique alter proceedings before the start of the second period.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Atletico are moving joint-top of La Liga, level on points with Barcelona. However, you have to expect that Celta will improve in the second period. The away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, but I suspect the away side will look to their bench if the score remains the same around the hour mark. The first half-chance of the second period comes to the home side as Turan finds Costa inside the box, but Mallo is across to clear at the vital moment. It could be a long half for the away side, especially if Atletico score their second early.
Atletico have started the second period like they ended the first - in total control. Celta attempt to force the issue as Lopez delivers a deep cross into the box, but Courtois is on hand to collect. The home side are on the counter with Juanfran moments later, but his cross is into the stands. End-to-end football with 50 minutes on the clock.
Godin is next to come close for the home side as he meets a corner from Koke, but his header is straight into the arms of Yoel, who has had his busiest match of the season thus far. A number of players on the Celta bench are currently being put through their paces as Luis Enrique considers a change. This is far from over despite the one-sided nature of the match.
Atletico quicken the pace in and around the Celta box as Villa picks up possession before finding Turan, but the Turkish international is just crowded out at the final moment. The away side are on the counter moments later with Krohn-Dehli, but the Dane's cross is high and wide of the crossbar. Still 1-0 to Atletico with 55 minutes on the clock.
Good spell for Celta in the last couple of moments as Rafinha manages to win a free kick just outside the Atletico box. The resulting set piece is taken by Toni, but his cross is too long for Charles, who has struggled to influence proceedings this afternoon. The attendance, meanwhile, has been confirmed at around 57,000 in the Vicente Calderon.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Villa to send Atletico into a two-goal lead as Costa puts it on a plate for the Spaniard, but somehow he slides his effort wide of the post. He has missed some chances this afternoon there is no question about that. You just wonder whether Atletico will be made to regret missed opportunities.
Atletico make their first change of the match as Oliver Torres replaces Villa, who limps off the pitch. Celta also make a change as Mina replaces Alex Lopez. The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, as the challenges continue to arrive from both sets of players. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in Madrid.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Celta (Costa)
Costa has his second of the match as the powerful striker muscles his way past two defenders before firing his effort under Yoel from close range. He now has 10 league goals for the season. What a campaign he is having.
Celta had just started to enjoy more of the possession, but they are undone on the counter as Costa demonstrates his incredible strength. Is he the form player in the world at the moment?! I am struggling to think of another one. You have to fear for Celta in the final 25 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Atletico just settling in possession of the ball. In fairness to Celta, they are attempting to pull their way back into the match with Charles and Rafinha both involved in the final third, but the final pass has not been there thus far.
Juanfran creates another opportunity for the Turan moments later as the Spaniard drives into the Celta box before finding the midfielder on the edge of the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Meanwhile, it appears that the away side are readying another change with little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Celta make another change as Madinda replaces Charles, who had just picked up a yellow card. That is a smart decision from the Celta boss. Atletico are in total control, but one goal for Celta would just give them a sniff in the latter stages. It would not be a surprise to see Diego Simeone freshen up his side with a change in the next few moments.
GOAL! Atletico 2-1 Celta (Nolito)
What do we have here?! Celta cut the deficit to 2-1 as Nolito races into the box before chipping his effort over the onrushing Courtois. Game on in the Spanish capital. Can they secure the most unlikely of draws?
Atletico make their second change of the afternoon as Turan is replaced by Rodriguez for the final 15 minutes or so. It would be one of the shocks of the season if Celta could take something from this match, especially after being second best for the entirety thus far. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for Nolito as the Celta striker collects a loose ball inside the box, but he just cannot steady himself at the vital moment, allowing Miranda across to make the challenge. From a position of such comfort, Atletico now look wobbly in defence. Goals change games there is no question about that.
One-way traffic in the last few moments as Celta continue to force the issue with as series of high balls into the Atletico box. Nolito wants a penalty as he tumbles inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Diego Simeone looks a concerned man at the moment as he parades the touchline. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for Atletico to put this game beyond Celta as Juanfran finds himself inside the Celta box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Yoel, who has been a spectator for the last 10 minutes or so. We will find out a lot about Atletico's ability to cope under pressure in the final stages of this match.
Oubina becomes the latest Celta player to enter the book for a late challenge on Costa as the striker carried possession into the opposing half. Not too much in terms of an attacking threat for the home side in the last couple of moments as they attempt to keep hold of the ball. You just get the feeling that there will be a couple more chances in the final stages of this match.
Another half-chance for Nolito as the Brazilian turns inside the box before attempting to curl his effort into the bottom corner, but Courtois is across to collect at the vital moment. Time is just starting to run out for Celta as we enter the final five minutes in Madrid. Atletico continue to run down the clock, meanwhile, as they force their 13th corner of the match.
Celta continue to force high balls into the Atletico box, but it just will not fall for a blue shirt as the home side manage to clear the danger. Torres gains some ground for Atletico moments later, but it comes straight back through Toni. Rafinha delivers a dangerous cross towards Rafinha in the next attack, but Courtois claims.
Atletico make their third change of the match as Gabi, who appears to have picked up an injury, is replaced by the Frenchman Guilavogui. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes. Is there time for late drama here?
Celta just cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as the home side continue to force it forward on each occasion. It has not been comfortable for Atletico, but these are the matches they just have to win if they are to challenge for the title. A free kick arrives for Celta outside the box moments later, but Courtois denies Krohn-Dehli.
FULL TIME: Atletico 2-1 Celta
So there we have it. Atletico hold on in the latter stages to claim all three points against Celta. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us this afternoon from 3.30pm for more La Liga football. Until then!
