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Levante logo
La Liga
May 4, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-0

Filipe (7' og.), Barral (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Atletico Madrid slip up in title race

Atletico miss the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga after slumping to a 2-0 defeat away to Levante.

Atletico Madrid have missed the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga courtesy of a 2-0 defeat away to Levante this afternoon.

Atletico Madrid's forward David Villa reacts during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on May 4, 2014© Getty Images

Diego Simeone's side, who were vying for their 10th successive league win, slumped to their first loss since February as a Filipe Luis own goal and a David Barral strike dented their title bid.

The hosts took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances through an own goal from Luis, who diverted the ball into his own net as keeper Thibaut Courtois saw himself beaten for the first time in the league since March.

Atletico could, and perhaps should, have levelled matters midway through the first half as Raul Garcia saw his shot saved by Keilor Navas at point-blank range before David Villa sent the rebound over the bar.

As the minutes increased so did the visitors' hunger to equalise as Loukas Vyntra cleared off the line from Luis, while the usually lethal Diego Costa fired a Gabi cross narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts absorbed the pressure before Joaquin Caparros's side then doubled their advantage against the run of play, as Barral slotted beyond Courtois with 20 minutes remaining.

Adrian Lopez came within the width of the woodwork of reducing the arrears, only to watch his curling effort strike the post as Simeone's men missed the opportunity to claim one of the two wins necessary to clinch the title.

Consequently, the Rojiblancos remain three points clear of Barcelona - who they face at Camp Nou on the final day - and six ahead of local rivals Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.

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Diego Ribas of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 5, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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