Atletico Madrid welcomed Real Sociedad to the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday knowing that a victory would see them close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to five points.
An own-goal from Sociedad defender Diego Reyes saw the home side enter the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, before Saul Niguez made it 2-0 early in the second period.
Antoine Griezmann then wrapped up the points from the penalty spot just past the hour as Atletico ran out comfortable winners on home soil.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Vicente Calderon as Atletico Madrid welcome Real Sociedad. The home side need all three points to keep their title challenge on track, but it will not be straightforward against a Sociedad side that have won four of their last five in the league.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams – Atletico have won four of the last five matches, with Sociedad recording just one victory during that run. That success for Sociedad came in November 2014, but they have lost 2-0 in each of their last two league games against the capital side.
Atletico's 2-0 win at the Anoeta earlier this season saw Antoine Griezmann once again return to haunt his former club. Sociedad actually finished the match, which took place in October, with nine men as David Moyes's early-season woes continued. Sociedad have shown signs of improvement in 2016, however, and will be confident of making this match more of a contest in the Spanish capital.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Who have Diego Simeone and Eusebio Sacristan placed their faith in tonight...
TEAMS:
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Augusto, Koke; Saul, Vietto, Griezmann
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Elustondo, Mikel, Reyes, De la Bella; Illarra, Granero, Prieto; Bruma, Jonathas, Hector
So there we have it. Atletico boss Simeone has made just one change to the team that beat Real Madrid at the weekend, with Luciano Vietto replacing Fernando Torres as the central striker. That leaves Griezmann and Saul Niguez in the wide positions, while Augusto Fernandez starts his second game in the space of three days despite only just returning from injury. It is a strong XI here.
As for Sociedad, Imanol Agirretxe, David Zurutuza, Carlos Martinez, Mikel Bergara and Sergio Canales are all on the sidelines, while Inigo Martinez is suspended. Esteban Granero and Alberto de la Bella have both come into the team, while there is also a start for Hector Hernandez. Carlos Vela has been surprisingly left on the bench, with Jonathas joined in the final third by speedster Bruma.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. I shall talk about Sociedad a little bit later, but let's start with Atletico, who will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win at Real Madrid at the weekend.
Griezmann scored the only goal of the match at the Bernabeu as Atletico won away to Real Madrid in the league for the third successive season. That result moved second-place Atletico four points clear of third-place Real Madrid, but Barcelona's incredible run of form has left them eight points clear at the summit. At the moment, the biggest challenge from the capital is from Simeone's side.
In truth, it is very difficult to imagine Barcelona dropping enough points to allow Atletico to take charge at the top, but Simeone's side will be desperate to finish ahead of rivals Real Madrid. Victory tonight would move them seven points clear of Los Blancos, who do not play until tomorrow night, and lead the red and whites nicely into a trip to Gary Neville's Valencia at the weekend.
Atletico have actually only lost one of their last 10 league matches and that was against Barcelona on January 30. Since then, they have beaten Eibar and Getafe, drawn with Villlarreal and won at the Bernabeu. Eighteen wins, four draws and four defeats from 26 games represents an impressive campaign.
Atletico's position in the table is even more incredible when considering that they have only scored 36 times in their 26 matches. To put that into context – Barcelona have 69 league goals this season and Real Madrid 71. Atletico have been simply wonderful down the other end, however, only conceding 11 times, which is an extraordinary record. Diego Godin has again been in stunning form.
Sociedad, meanwhile, will enter this match in ninth position in the table having collected 34 points from their 26 matches. A difficult start to the season saw Moyes lose his position as head coach, but Eusebio has steadied the ship. Indeed, the Basque outfit have won four of their last five in the league.
That run of form has included a thumping 5-0 win at Espanyol and a 3-0 success at home to Granada. Not only have Sociedad scored an impressive 12 goals in their last five matches, they have only conceded twice – one of which was in a 1-1 draw with Malaga at the weekend.
Sociedad currently sit 10 points clear of the relegation zone and are actually now just four points off the top seven, which seemed a very unlikely goal due to their early-season struggles. Suddenly a team that is full of quality is looking to a European finish rather than a possible battle at the bottom.
In truth, it is difficult to know which Sociedad team will turn up on their travels. They have won their last two on the road without conceding, but a 5-0 victory at Espanyol on February 8 followed a 5-1 defeat at Sporting Gijon on January 22. It has been a bit of a mixed bag, but key players have started to perform and on paper, Sociedad are without doubt a top-six, top-seven team.
PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to make a case for Sociedad tonight. Atletico might well need to be patient, but the visitors are missing a lot of key players and I am struggling to make a case for a surprise result. I do not think it will be the most entertaining of games either! Home win, 2-0.
A reminder of the two teams for tonight...
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Luis; Gabi, Augusto, Koke; Saul, Vietto, Griezmann
SOCIEDAD: Rulli; Elustondo, Mikel, Reyes, De la Bella; Illarra, Granero, Prieto; Bruma, Jonathas, Hector
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football then! It is the away side that get things underway here...
... as expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, despite the fact that the Calderon is not quite full tonight. Sociedad have looked to go long with a couple of passes in the early moments, but Godin and Gimenez have gobbled them up. Let's hope for a good game tonight.
Half-chance for the home side as Saul drives to the edge of the box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Nice open start from both teams here.
BOOKING! Jonathas (Sociedad) is booked for a physical challenge on Godin.
Vietto drives towards the by-line and manages to deliver a low cross towards the near post, but Reyes is on hand to clear for a corner. Godin makes contact on the set piece from Koke, but his header, under pressure, was never troubling Rulli. It has been a very fast start from the home team.
I thought that this would be a tight game with few chances - and I still do - but it has been a very open seven minutes, with both teams prepared to commit plenty of numbers in the final third.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Sociedad (Reyes OG)
Atletico make the breakthrough in the eighth minute as Reyes turns a low Koke cross past his own goalkeeper. It is a horrible goal for the visitors to concede and they now face an uphill task.
Sociedad just need to be careful that this match does not drift away from them. Atletico are pressing very high up the field and look in the mood to put this game to bed very early tonight.
Sociedad just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment as Atletico continue to move the ball from left to right. Another half-chance arrives when Juanfran delivers a dangerous cross towards Vietto, but Gonzalez is on hand to make the clearance. A second goal could be about to arrive!
CHANCE! Godin finds himself unmarked at the far post after his fellow centre-back Gimenez had flicked the ball on, but the Uruguay international fires wide of Rulli's goal!
Vietto has been very lively in the opening 16 minutes here, but it has not quite fallen for the Argentine in the final third. Still all one-way traffic as Atletico search for a second here.
Bruma finds space down the right for the visitors, but his cross was always straight into the arms of Oblak, who has been able to put his feet up in the opening 18 minutes. Still 1-0 Atletico in Madrid.
Juanfran has been very, very dangerous down that right for Atletico tonight and the right-back again threatens to pick out a teammate, but Reyes steps in to clear ahead of Saul, who is being given licence to drift inside. I am still very surprised at just how open this match is at the moment.
Not an awful lot from Sociedad going forward tonight and the fact that Jonathas has been booked will be a concern - the big striker loves a physical battle. Carlos Vela is on the bench for the visitors and I am sure that we will see the Mexican at some point here. Still a very open game of football.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third. Both defences are comfortable at the moment.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is a reflection of matters on the field. Sociedad are now seeing more of the ball, but they are struggling to get Jonathas and Bruma in the match. Hector, meanwhile, is spending most of his time tracking right-back Juanfran.
SAVE! The ball falls to Griezmann inside the Sociedad box and the Frenchman wastes no time in having a go, but Rulli is on hand to make a smart stop and keep the score at 1-0.
Koke picks out Griezmann with a super pass, but his volley was always wide of the post.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, it has been very comfortable for Atletico. Nothing for Oblak to worry about in the home side's goal in the opening 33 minutes.
Bruma uses his excellent pace to run away from three midfielders, but the attacker then loses control and Atletico are back on the front foot. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Sociedad, in my opinion, would not be able to come back from 2-0 down.
Wow - Illarramendi has a go for Sociedad and it actually drifts out for a throw-in!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico to score a second as Vietto shows super feet inside the Sociedad box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Rulli makes a smart save!
More good work between Griezmann and Vietto, but the cut-back from the latter is not quite good enough and the danger is cleared once again. Sociedad are just about surviving at the moment.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Atletico as Godin once again finds himself unmarked at the far post, but the centre-back's goal-bound effort is blocked by Gonzalez!
Sociedad can count themselves lucky that they are only 1-0 behind and it would not be a surprise to see changes made at the interval. Carlos Vela is on the bench and there is no question that the visitors need more movement in the final third. Both Jonathas and Bruma have been poor tonight.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of an own-goal from Diego Reyes, which came in the eighth minute of action. The home side have had opportunities to extend their lead, but Sociedad have ridden their luck to enter the break just one goal behind. In truth, it has been a very one-sided 45 minutes of football at the Vicente Calderon.
STATS! Atletico have dominated the possession with 57%, while they have had seven attempts - two of which were on target. Sociedad, meanwhile, have only managed one shot in the first 45 minutes. Just the one yellow to report and that came for striker Jonathas inside four minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Atletico have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with Angel Correa, Oliver Torres and Fernando Torres among those available for the home team. As for Sociedad, head coach Eusebio has the likes of Ruben Pardo and Carlos Vela in reserve tonight.
This man's side are heading for another three points and clean sheet as it stands...
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sociedad respond in the capital? We shall see! Atletico resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the half progresses at the Calderon.
GOAL! Atletico 2-0 Sociedad (Saul)
Atletico have their second of the match in the 46th minute as Saul Niguez fires home from close range after meeting a super cross from Vietto. It was a brilliant finish, but the defending from Sociedad was awful. They played around at the back and have paid the ultimate price!
Sociedad would have wanted to have a look at Atletico in the opening 10, 15 minutes of this second period, but the match now seems beyond them. It was a really poor goal to concede.
To be honest, there has been nothing about Sociedad going forward in this match. The likes of Jonathas and Bruma have really struggled and it is a surprise that Eusebio has not looked to make changes, even this early. Atletico are heading for another very comfortable three points as it stands.
ATLETICO SUB! Lucas replaces Godin for Atletico.
On the face of it, that is a surprising change, but Godin is just one yellow card away from a suspension and Simeone does not want to take any chances. Sensible call for me.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but it is still very comfortable for Atletico, who have not been in trouble at any point tonight. Sociedad have been so poor here.
BOOKING! Granero (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Vietto.
SOCIEDAD SUBS! Vela and Pardo replace Granero and Hector for the visitors.
PENALTY ATLETICO!
Atletico are awarded a penalty as Griezmann goes down in the box under a tackle from De la Bella.
GOAL! Atletico 3-0 Sociedad (Griezmann)
Griezmann rolls the ball into the opposite corner to make it 3-0 Atletico.
ATLETICO SUB! Griezmann is given a rest and Correa is on for the hosts.
Half-chance for the away side - about time - as Bruma drives into the box before setting up Vela, but the Mexican can only fire wide of the post from close range. Should have done better!
Lucas throws his head at a deep free kick from Prieto and almost beats his own goalkeeper, but Oblak is on hand to punch clear and Atletico keep their clean sheet in tact tonight.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of minutes as they keep hold of the ball, while the supporters are in fine voice with little over 20 minutes remaining at the Calderon.
Vietto remains full of running and the striker is again set away by Koke, but it runs away from the Argentine at the vital moment and Rulli is out to collect. Still 3-0 Atletico in the capital tonight.
Correa again races away inside the Sociedad box after a smart pass from Saul, but the Argentine's first touch is poor and it goes out for a dead ball. Not much from Sociedad at the moment.
BOOKING! Fernandez (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Prieto.
ATLETICO SUB! Oliver Torres replaces Gabi for the home team.
Little over 10 minutes of this clash remaining and in truth, not too much has happened since Atletico scored the third goal. Sociedad just have not offered anything in the final third tonight.
Atletico have a free kick in a dangerous area as Elustondo brings Vietto to the ground...
... Koke fires straight over the crossbar.
SAVE! Rulli gets down to keep out a curling strike from Vietto.
SOCIEDAD SUB! Bruma is replaced by E Gonzalez.
In truth, this has not been a very good second period, certainly not from an entertainment point of view. Sociedad really needed to score the game's second goal and Atletico have been so comfortable for long periods of the contest. I have been disappointed with the visitors tonight.
CHANCE! Vela sets up Jonathas inside the Atletico box, but the striker fires high and wide of the target. That just about sums up his night in the final third!
Sociedad have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a wide position, but Gimenez is first to the high ball and the home side can clear the danger. Sociedad manage to regain control and a deep cross is delivered towards Jonathas, but the striker cannot make contact at the far post.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Correa has the ball in the back of the net for Atletico, but the flag is raised and Sociedad survive a fourth. The linesman has ruined the night!
Correa was onside from the Luis cross!
FULL-TIME: Atletico 3-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period in Madrid to a close with Atletico running out 3-0 winners over Sociedad, who really struggled to make their mark at the Vicente Calderon. The visitors remain ninth in the table, while Atletico are still second, but now just five points off the leaders Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
