Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Espanyol. The home side remain in second position in the table, but are now six points from leaders Real Madrid, who won at Malaga earlier this evening. Atletico will enter the match in confident mood having booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of AC Milan on Tuesday.

Espanyol, meanwhile, also enter the match in strong form. Javier Aguirre's side have won three of their last five in the league, with that run of form moving them into ninth. They are 10 points above the relegation zone and are certainly looking up rather than down with just 11 games of the campaign remaining.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Atletico have won three of the last five matches, with Espanyol also winning twice during that run of fixtures. The corresponding match last season ended in a 1-0 Atletico win, but Espanyol inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the capital outfit when the pair met in Barcelona earlier this season.

So there we have it. Koke, Raul Garcia and Diego drop out of the Atletico XI this evening, but David Villa, Jose Sosa and Tiago all return. Diego Costa, meanwhile, leads the attack. Espanyol are as expected with their skipper Sergio Garcia gaining support from Pizzi and Christian Stuani. Right, both sets of players join us on the field for the first period. Atletico get the action underway inside this wonderful stadium.

As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening as Atletico attempt to move three points behind league leaders Real Madrid. The home side force an early free kick as Turan is felled by Moreno, but it is played short before David Sanchez clears the danger. Fiesty start in terms of challenges.

It has not taken long for Costa to get involved with Moreno as the Atletico forward takes exception to a challenge from the Espanyol defender. Atletico threaten from the resulting set piece, but Fuentes is on hand to clear the danger. Just four minutes on the clock, but already the home side are in control of proceedings.

Espanyol have a free kick of their own in a dangerous position as Gabi brings Stuani to the ground. The resulting set piece is delivered by Simao, but Godin is on hand to clear the danger. Not too much in terms of clear chances, but both sides have demonstrated their willingness to commit bodies in the final third.

Half-chance for the visitors as Stuani dances into the Atletico box before attempting to poke one into the bottom corner, but Courtois was always comfortable. Atletico are down the other end with Turan moments later, but Moreno is across to make the challenge as the end-to-end period of the first half continues in Madrid.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments due to a number of late challenges, but there has been no card forthcoming thus far. Espanyol have not come to defend that is for certain with Pizzi and Stuani joining Garcia whenever possible. Luis delivers a dangerous cross into the Espanyol box moments later, but Costa cannot rise under pressure from Moreno.

First sign of Costa as a threat as the Atletico forward carries possession into the Espanyol box, but Colotto is across to clear at the vital moment. Still no clear chances for either side with 13 minutes on the clock, but the tension is building. Just a reminder that, as it stands, Atletico are six points behind leaders Real Madrid, who won 1-0 at Malaga earlier this evening courtesy of a first-half strike from Cristiano Ronaldo.

CHANCE! Atletico's first real chance of the match arrives after 15 minutes as Villa meets a free kick from Gabi, but Casilla is on hand to make a wonderful save. The pressure continues from the resulting corner, but Casilla is out to claim once more. Brilliant from the Espanyol goalkeeper.

Atletico are certainly in control of the possession, but Espanyol continue to threaten with their pace and movement on the counter attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock in the Spanish capital.

The untidy period of the match continues as Sanchez dives into a poor challenge with Juanfran, handing the home side another free kick in the process. The resulting set piece is delivered by Sosa, but Sanchez is on hand to clear the danger. Good pressure from Atletico, but Espanyol have been tight and compact thus far.

CHANCE! Atletico's second clear chance of the match arrives for Gabi as the skipper meets a loose ball inside the Espanyol box, but his powerful volley whistles high and wide of Casilla's crossbar.

CHANCE! Espanyol's best chance of the match comes to Garcia as the attacker turns inside the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. Opportunities at either end with 23 minutes on the clock. Real Madrid and Barcelona will be watching on with intrigue.

CHANCE! The chances continue to arrive as Villa meets a cross from Luis, but his header just drops wide of the post. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the early stages, but the match has now started to open up. Espanyol's willingness to attack is leaving gaps for Atletico to exploit.

Luis brings a wonderful save from Casilla following bright work from the Atletico left-back, but the offside flag had been raised. Atletico continue to force the issue in wide areas as Turan comes wide before delivering towards Costa, who falls to the ground under pressure from Fuentes, but the referee shakes his head. On second look, it appears that the home side should have indeed been handed a spot kick.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and still the match is goalless. Neither manager will be too unhappy with what they have seen thus far, but if Atletico are to win the title, these are the type of games that they need to be winning. Espanyol, however, have other ideas as they continue to pose questions.

Opportunity for Espanyol to threaten from a free kick as Gabi fells Sanchez outside the Atletico box. The resulting set piece is delivered by Simao, but it goes straight out for a goal kick. It has been an untidy match in terms of challenges, but the referee has been able to keep a lid on proceedings thus far in Madrid.

Finally the referee does look to his pocket as Javi Lopez is booked for a really poor challenge on Sosa. It has been that type of contest, with both sides looking to stem the flow in the final third. Atletico play the free kick short before Luis delivers, but once more Casilla is on hand to claim. Still goalless.

Sosa continues to take up good positions for the home side, but too often his crossing has been short of the required standard. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, meanwhile, with little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining. No real spark from either in truth.

No real atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is harming events on the field. Espanyol have turned the match into a scrappy affair, which is allowing them to slow the Atletico play in the final third. It is the type of game that is in desperate need of a goal. Little over five minutes of the half to play.

It is the Espanyol supporters that can be heard in the latter stages of the first period as their side continues to enjoy possession in the Atletico half. Luis delivers into the Espanyol box moments later, but Moreno is on hand to clear the danger. A goal at this stage of proceedings could be vital.

Atletico have just upped the tempo in the last couple of moments with a series of crosses into the Espanyol box, but the away side remain tight and compact in defensive areas. Pizzi seems to have a real problem as he rolls around on the floor in agony moments later, with the forward caught late by Atletico skipper Gabi.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, it has been quite hard work. Both sides have had a couple of opportunities, but it has been a non-event for long periods, with both struggling for ideas in the final third of the pitch.

STATISTICS: Atletico have dominated the ball with 64% possession, while they have had three attempts, just one of which has been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target twice from their three attempts. Just the one yellow card to report, with Lopez booked for the visitors.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Koke, Garcia, Rodriguez and Diego. Meanwhile, Espanyol have the likes of Alex Fernandez, Abraham, Torje and Cordoba in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Atletico are five points behind leaders Real Madrid. Surely they have to win this evening to remain in the race. Right, the visitors get the second 45 minutes underway on this warm evening in the Spanish capital.

No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that both managers will consider changes if the score remains level for the next 15 minutes or so. Espanyol have played with freedom and confidence this evening that is for certain.

The first half-chance of the second period arrives to Atletico as Villa breaks into the Espanyol box, but Colotto just does enough to force the striker to fire high and wide of the crossbar. Espanyol break down the other end with Stuani moments later, but the attack comes to an end when Garcia fells Luis inside the box.

Espanyol continue to commit untidy challenges each time Atletico attempt to break into their half. It is a tactic that has worked well for the visitors in the opening 52 minutes. Still no way through in the final third for the home side as Costa's low effort is blocked by Moreno. Casilla finds himself on the edge of his own box moments later, but manages to collect a deep cross from Juanfran.

Turan becomes the latest name to enter the book for a late challenge on Sanchez, but there is not much in it. Moments later, Atletico make their first change of the match as Koke replaces Sosa, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Still goalless with little over 35 minutes of football remaining.

It just had to be him! Atletico take the lead after 55 minutes as Villa feeds Costa, who drives into the Espanyol box before rolling his effort into the bottom corner. What an important goal in the title race.

The pressure had been building in the last couple of minutes and Atletico now have the lead on their own patch. Espanyol respond down the other end by forcing a free kick, but Simao's delivery is headed clear by Luis. Espanyol are still in this match make no mistake about that. Little over 30 minutes remaining.

Wonderful noise inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters continue to raise their voices. It really is a wonderful stadium to play your football. Espanyol have responded impressively to conceding and force a half-chance as Stuani drives into the Atletico box, but Courtois is out to claim at the vital moment.

Costa has another sight of goal following bright work from Turan, but the Spanish international had just moved into an offside position. Moments later, Espanyol make their first change of the match as Cordoba enters the field in place of Simao, who has really struggled to influence proceedings at the Calderon.

CHANCE! Another brilliant move from the home side brings an opportunity as Juanfran finds Turan, who delivers a dangerous cross towards Costa, but the striker cannot make clear contact. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and Atletico are threatening to score a second.

CHANCE! Costa comes close to scoring his second as the Atletico forward drives past three defenders before rounding Casilla, but he just takes it too wide and can only fire high of the crossbar.

Half-chance for the away side this time as David Lopez finds some space outside the box before striking towards goal, but Courtois is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals at the Calderon this evening. Espanyol could wreck Atletico's title challenge with a goal.

CHANCE! Opportunity for Espanyol as a deep free kick from Pizzi fells to Stuani at the far post, but Costa produces a brilliant defensive header to clear the danger. Moments later, Godin picks up a booking for dissent. Atletico also make their second change as Diego enters in place of Turan.

Garcia threatens for the away side as the striker drives past Juanfran before clipping a cross into the box, but Courtois is on hand to claim. You just get the feeling that Atletico need a second to be sure of the points this evening. Espanyol are certainly committing more numbers in the final third.

Cordoba's power continues to cause Atletico problems as the Espanyol forward drives past Alderweireld before attempting to poke the ball past Courtois, but he catches the Belgian goalkeeper in the process. Cordoba is far from the finished product, but the Colombian is a real talent that is for certain.

It does not look too clever for Courtois, but the on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper does return to his feet following a period of treatment. You suspect that Espanyol might try and test the Belgian in the next minute. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining, but additional time is sure to be included by the referee.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Espanyol as Garcia feeds David Lopez on the edge of the box, but his low effort is pushed wide of the post by Courtois, who is still suffering from that heavy blow.

Atletico make their third and final change of the evening as Raul Garcia enters the field in place of Villa. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but Espanyol remain a threat in the final third with Garcia and Cordoba both causing problems in advanced positions.

Half-chance for Atletico as Costa finds some space down the right before delivering towards Garcia, but Casilla is out to claim at the vital moment. Espanyol are down the other end with Cordoba moments later, but Godin is on hand to clear the danger. Little over five minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.

Espanyol make second change of the match as Sanchez, who has just been booked, is replaced by Alex. Cordoba has a half-chance for Espanyol moments later following a powerful run, but he pokes his effort wide of the post. Time is just starting to run out for the visitors with 88 minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for the home side as Diego finds some space outside the box before setting up Garcia, who takes one touch before firing towards the bottom corner, but Moreno is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner is delivered by Gabi, but Fuentes clears as we approach stoppage time in Madrid.

Third and final change for the visitors as Torje replaces Pizzi. You just get the feeling that there is one final change left in this contest. Can Espanyol break Atletico hearts in the final stages?

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the third of those. Time is running out for Espanyol, who are struggling for possession as Diego wins another corner.

Half-chance for Sergio Garcia as the Espanyol skipper finds some space outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Atletico force a free kick down the other end moments later as play enters the fourth minute of additional time.

So there we have it. Vital three points for Atletico, who remain three points behind leaders Real Madrid. Espanyol, meanwhile, remain ninth, but are now five points from the top seven. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!