A standout finish from defender Jose Gimenez has handed Atletico Madrid a 1-0 half-time lead over home side Elche in La Liga this afternoon, with the visitors looking for three points to move into second spot in the Spanish top flight.

Following a rather frantic opening start, Atletico seized on their first major opportunity in the 17th minute as centre-back Gimenez lashed home a world-class shot into the top corner after the ball fell to him inside the Elche box.

The hosts could barely get a touch on the ball in the first half as they sought to retrieve possession from a dominant Madrid side, but youngster Faycal Fajr did his best to carve something out with an enterprising dink to the back post, leaving Miguel Angel Moya to make a good clearance.

Fajr appeared to be the shining light in a fairly workman-like Elche side and he almost created another opportunity going into the final minutes of the first 45 with a teasing cross, only for his efforts to be nullified by some adroit defending from Diego Godin who was on hand to keep his side in the lead.