For the first time in six La Liga matches Atletico Madrid are not leading at half time.

Diego Simeone's men have shaded the opening 45 minutes of their clash at Elche, but the high flyers have been unable to transfer their superiority onto the scoreboard.

Atletico had the game's first chance of note on 13 minutes when Miranda met a corner from Koke, but his header was straight at Manuel Herrera, who made a good block.

Arda Turan then came close just after the half hour with a curling effort that landed just wide.

Diego Costa found space in the hosts' penalty area moments later, but Damian Suarez recovered to make a vital challenge.