Granada welcomed second-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday looking to secure just their second league win in their last six matches.
Radamel Falcao had the best chance of an uneventful opening period, but it was Arda Turan who handed Atletico the lead just past the hour mark with a finish from close range.
The away side were reduced to 10 men moments later when Mario Suarez was given his marching orders, but they held on to secure a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Evening all! We continue with our La Liga coverage as Granada attempt to move away from the bottom three with victory against an impressive Atletico outfit.
Teams:
Granada: Tono; Diakhate, Siqueira, Nyom, Gomez; Santos, Brahimi, Benitez, Rico; Torje, El-Arabi
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Miranda, Juanfran, Luis, Godin; Gabi, Suarez, Garcia, Turan; Adrian, Falcao
Atletico’s incredible 13-match winning run was ended by Valencia at the beginning of November, but they bounced back with a 2-0 home win against Getafe last week. In many ways that was their most important match of the season, they simply had to answer back with three points.
The constant speculation surrounding the future of Radamel Falcao cannot be helping, but while the Colombian keeps scoring goals Atletico will be happy. However, bids are expected from Chelsea and Manchester City in January.
Granada, meanwhile, began their league campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano and they did not record three points in the league until late September with a 2-1 success over Celta Vigo.
Victory then followed against Mallorca, but they have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. With the way the bottom of the table is shaping up, a defeat at this stage could drop them into the bottom three.
Right, we have just about 10 minutes until kickoff. It is difficult to see Granada picking something up from this match and therefore I am backing a 3-1 win for Atletico.
Just a reminder that following this match we will be switching over to Sevilla versus Real Betis. Be sure to stay with us for that potentially explosive encounter.
Full-time: Getafe 2-1 Real Valladolid: Getafe have moved into eighth spot in the table after turning things around against Valladolid this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Atletico need to secure the win to keep pace with Barcelona, but Granada will be keen to move away from the bottom three.
The home side get us underway on this mild evening in southern Spain. They force the issue straight away as Dani Benitez whips a high cross into the box, but it is too long for Iriney.
Atletico have just taken control of possession in the past minute or so with Raul Garcia and Mario Suarez enjoying early touches of the ball. However, neither side are yet to threaten in the attacking third.
First sign of Falcao as the Colombian striker attempts to latch onto a searching pass from Suarez, but Tono is on hand to collect the danger. You just get the feeling that the goalkeeper will need to have a good game this evening.
Just a couple of untidy challenges in the past few moments from Allan Nyom. However, the referee keeps his cards in his pocket. There is quite a laboured pace to the match in the early stages.
Benitez continues to impress for the home side as he gains a free kick on the left, but Youssef El Arabi can only head wide of the target from the resulting set piece.
Again it's bright work from the home side as Mikel Rico attempts to find Torje in the area, but Courtois comes to gather. Granada are playing the better football at the moment.
CHANCE! Oh my word. Glorious opportunity for the away side to take the lead as Filipe Luis found Falcao in the box, but the Colombian froze at the vital moment. How often have we said that this season?!
Granada remain the side in control of the possession in the opening 15 minutes of this match. However, the best chance of the match fell to Falcao two minutes ago.
A half-chance for Atletico once more as Adrian fires an effort from outside the box, but Tono makes a smart save before gathering the resulting corner. Bit of pressure from the away side.
It's really brave goalkeeping from Tono once more as he beats Falcao to a high ball in the air. However, the stopper took a whack in the face for his troubles.
Ambitious effort from El Arabi as he chips the ball up before turning and firing towards goal, but he almost cleared the stands. Not quite on par with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's strike for Sweden in the week.
Atletico continue to pass and probe around the Granada box with Adrian and Gabi both involved, but the home side continue to defend with numbers.
Half-chance for Granada as Yacine Brahimi demonstrates wonderful ability to dance into the penalty area, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. Both sides are carrying a threat.
Decent spell for the home side in the past few moments with Torje and Benitez coming into central areas, but the final ball has eluded them thus far. We remain level as the 30-minute mark approaches.
The match just needs something to happen to liven it up. Both teams are being very respectful at the moment with few challenges. And we are still awaiting our first real chance.
Falcao has not really been in this match aside from that half-chance early on. Meanwhile, Adrian and Arda Turan have faded in and out. All three will probably score now I have said that.
Granada appear to have a shoot on sight policy at the moment as they hit yet another effort from long range. Meanwhile, the home supporters are making their voices known.
Atletico try their luck from distance this time as Suarez strikes from outside the box, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. It has been that type of match thus far.
CHANCE! Clearest opening of the match for the home side as Brahimi finds Torje in the box, but the midfielder smashes his effort against the post. It was a stunning counter attack.
Both sides continue to exchange spells of possession in advanced areas, but the home team have enjoyed the better of the opening period. But we all know how quickly that can change.
First yellow card of the match is handed to Suarez as the midfielder chops Benitez down in his prime. At least that might liven the game up a touch. Little under four minutes of the half remaining.
Half-chance for the away side as Falcao collects possession outside the box before striking an effort from 40 yards, but Tono watched the ball over the crossbar. More a strike of frustration.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of time. Granada will end the half with possession.
Granada 0-0 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. A fairly uneventful half is brought to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. It has not been a classic thus far!
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Atletico have just shaded the possession with 51%, but they have had just five shots to Granada's eight.
Those statistics offer the impression that the match has been full of clear chances, but in truth it has been anything but. Both sides have been restricted to long-range efforts thus far.
Just a final reminder that we will be in Sevilla following the completion of this match. It remains to be seen whether Atletico can keep pace with Barcelona with all three points. The second half is around three minutes away.
Here we go then. Atletico get us underway in the second period. Meanwhile, it appears that Diego Costa will soon enter the fray for the away side.
The change is made as Diego Costa replaces Adrian Lopez. Now Falcao has a bit of support up there. Positive change from Atletico early in the second half.
Half-chance for the home side as Benitez collects a long pass from Iriney, but Courtois is quick off his line to gather the danger. The tempo has not really been raised since the break.
First real bit of quality from Atletico as Turan whips a searching cross into the penalty area, but Falcao just cannot make contact and Tono gathers the danger. Meanwhile, Costa is causing problems with his physical presence.
Suddenly Atletico are just starting to find their players in advanced areas and this time it's Luis who fires a low cross into the box, but Falcao cannot make contact once more.
There are just signs that the away side are starting to take control of proceedings here. Costa has taken some of the attention away from Falcao, but clear chances continue to elude both teams.
Another change for the away side as Koke is introduced in place of Raul Garcia. Atletico are attempting to up the pace of this match.
GOAL! Granada 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Turan)
Atletico have their goal and it's Turan who turns home a Luis cross at the far post. What a big strike in the context of this match.
The away side made changes and it has certainly paid off. They have been the better side since the break. Now it is up to Granada to launch some sort of response. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining.
It just isn't quite happening for Granada at the moment. Their momentum has gone and they are really struggling to find that final ball. Meanwhile, Atletico are such a threat on the counter attack.
Another half-chance comes the way of Atletico as Costa barges his way into the penalty area, but his effort is wide of the target.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to make it number two as Turan finds Falcao in the penalty area, but the striker can only fire wide of the target when he might have done better.
Benitez remains the biggest threat for the home side, but he is continually struggling to find the final pass and Atletico are countering with pace and power. There is another goal in this match.
Red card: Mario Suarez is dismissed for the away side for a second yellow. It looked harsh but the referee was not in the mood to allow a second chance.
Meanwhile, change for the away side as Tiago replaces Turan. Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining in this match. Atletico lead.
Benitez continues to carry a threat for the home side as he releases Iriney, but the midfielder fires wide of the target and he is soon replaced by Juanma Ortiz.
It's really good feet from Thiago as the former Chelsea midfielder dances past two challenges before being chopped down outside the box. Falcao stands over the free kick.
However, the Colombian's effort is pushed wide by Tono. It has not been his night this evening. Can the home side force one last chance in this match?
The away side are taking the sting out of the match at the moment with a host of possession in advanced areas. If there is to be another goal in this match it will have to come soon.
CHANCE! Clearest chance of the second period for the home side as Fabian Orellana meets a Torje cross, but he can only head wide of the target. It was ever so close.
It's good work from Nyom as he beats Luis to possession before being hacked down by the Atletico defender. It appears that Benitez will whip the free kick into the box.
Indeed he does but Godin is on hand to clear the danger. Time is just starting to run out for the home side and they know it. It is becoming ever so scrappy and forced.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of added time as Falcao clips over from close range. How has he missed?
Atletico have this match won. We have little under a minute remaining and Courtois has possession in his hands. It has not been pretty, but they will not mind.
Atletico have this match won. We have little under a minute remaining and Courtois has possession in his hands. It has not been pretty, but they will not mind.
Granada 0-1 Atletico Madrid
So there we have it. Atletico take all the points. Join us now for action from Sevilla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Stay with us!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
