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Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga
Jan 2, 2016 at 7.30pm UK
 
Levante logo

1-0

Partey (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Atletico Madrid edge past Levante to move top of La Liga

A late Thomas Partey goal sends Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Levante.

Atletico Madrid have climbed to the top of La Liga courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Levante at the Vicente Calderon this evening.

After Barcelona had been held to a goalless draw by local rivals Espanyol earlier in the day, Diego Simeone's side knew that victory would take them two points clear of the Catalan giants and six ahead of Real Madrid, who play tomorrow.

Thomas Partey celebrates scoring for Atletico against Levante on January 2, 2016© Getty Images

It took a while to come, but ultimately a late strike from Thomas Partey was enough to hand Los Rojiblancos the points, putting them in the driving seat for the title race.

The hosts started well enough when Saul Niguez rose highest in the area to meet a cross in just the second minute, but he planted his header narrowly wide of the target.

Atletico came close again just four minutes later as Diego Marino was called into action for the first time, keeping out Jackson Martinez's effort towards the bottom corner from inside the box.

The first half did not carry on in that manner, however, and Atletico had to wait until just before the half-hour mark for their next opening when Stefan Savic hit the crossbar having been first to a corner.

That miss almost proved costly when Levante went straight up the other end and threatened for the first time in the match, only for Verza to fire his effort just past the post.

Simeone was left bemoaning his side's luck again 10 minutes into the second half when they came within the width of the crossbar from taking the lead once more, this time Koke striking the woodwork from the edge of the area.

The breakthrough finally came with less than 10 minutes remaining when Partey embarked on a solo run into the box before firing his effort past Marino.

The visitors could not conjure up a response in the closing stages as they slumped to a fifth defeat in a row and eighth consecutive match without victory, while Atletico have now won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions.

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Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs RCD Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on November 28, 2015.
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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