Atletico Madrid returned to third position in La Liga with a 2-0 win over basement side Cordoba on Saturday.

Both goals came in the first period, with Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez on the scoresheet for the visitors, who are now six points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Cordoba, meanwhile, have now lost their last 10 in the league and remain rooted to the bottom.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action.

Match statistics

CORDOBA
Shots: 11
On target: 2
Possession: 57%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 12

ATLETICO
Shots: 8
On target: 4
Possession: 43%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 9

Was the result fair?

Cordoba might have been on the end of another defeat here, but they can be proud of their performance. On the balance of play, even the most ardent of Atletico supporter would find it difficult to argue that the hosts did not deserve something for their efforts. It was Atletico that controlled the first period, with Cordoba not managing a single attempt on target. The first 45 minutes was also where the damage was done, with Griezmann and Saul both registering to leave Atletico 2-0 ahead. Cordoba improved in the second period and had a host of chances late on, but Bebe could only rattle the crossbar, before Atletico stopper Jan Oblak made a stunning save to deny Jose Crespo, whose header looked to be finding the net.

Atletico will argue that they always had control of the match and could have raised their performance if needed, but the Spanish champions struggled in the second 45 minutes. One look at the statistics will show that Cordoba had more possession and indeed more shots, but their lack of an end product was what ultimately cost them the chance to take something from the match. Cordoba played well but lost, while Atletico played poorly but won. At this stage of the season, points are much more important than performances and the visitors left with all three. It was an entertaining match and both teams contributed.

Cordoba's performance

The facts will show that Cordoba have now lost their last 10 league games and are just one defeat away from matching Las Palmas' 11-game losing streak in Spain's top flight, which occurred back in 1960. The league table will also demonstrate that Cordoba are rooted to the bottom and seven points from safety, but there is no question that their supporters can take a lot of positives from this performance against Atletico. The first period was disappointing, with a couple of poor defensive moments costing them two goals, while they struggled to find that elusive pass in the final third. There was intent from the strugglers, however, which has not always been the case this season, especially at home. It would have been easy for Cordoba to wilt at 2-0 and take a bit of a hiding from an Atletico side that certainly sensed blood, but interim boss Jose Antonio Romero was given a strong response from his side in the second period.

At the break, both Fede Cartabia and Nabil Ghilas were introduced and, as expected, Cordoba improved in the final third. Ghilas had a couple of golden chances for the hosts, but could not find the back of the net. On-loan Benfica forward Bebe also rattled the crossbar and went close from a free kick as Cordoba turned the screw in the final 15 minutes. One goal at that stage would have made it a very interesting end to the match, but ultimately, the home side's first-half performance cost them. It is going to take a bit of a miracle for them to remain in the league, but more performances of this ilk will only breed confidence.

Atletico's performance

Atletico entered the match in fourth position and just one point above Sevilla, who won 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao earlier today. The league title looks a tough ask for Diego Simeone's side with Barcelona in excellent form at the moment, but failure to finish in the top four seems unthinkable. It was expected to be a fairly simple afternoon for Atletico and it looked that way when Griezmann opened the scoring with a super finish inside five minutes. The visitors came close to making it 2-0 moments later, but Diego Godin's header from a Griezmann cross was straight into the arms of the Cordoba goalkeeper. Atletico had their second goal late in the first period, however, when Saul headed a Jose Gimenez flick into the bottom corner. It should have been game over at that moment, but there was a real lack of intensity from the Spanish champions in the second period, which certainly invited Cordoba to launch a strong response.

Atletico did not have a single chance of note in the second period, with Mario Mandzukic struggling before being replaced by Fernando Torres, who also failed to make an impact. Instead, Simeone's side spent much of the second period on the back foot and had to rely on some poor Cordoba finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Oblak to keep their clean sheet intact. As stressed, points are more important than performances at this stage of the season, but this Atletico side is not at the same level as last season. Anything other than a top-three finish would be considered a major disappointment and Valencia and Sevilla are both looking strong at this stage of the season. Simeone has a tough task on his hands.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Jose Gimenez: The Atletico centre-back is still just 20, but he already looks the real deal. Gimenez has been given plenty of football this season due to Miranda's injury problems and indeed suspensions, and the defender has been extremely solid alongside Uruguay teammate Godin. The young centre-back made a number of crucial blocks in the second period and was aerially dominant.

Biggest gaffe

Cordoba's on-loan Manchester City midfielder Bruno Zuculini will not want to see too many replays of Atletico's first goal. The 22-year-old was caught in possession by Griezmann outside his own box and Atletico's French attacker finished into the bottom corner. Zuculini paid the price and was substituted at the interval.

Referee performance

Referee Javier Estrada can be pleased with his performance in Cordoba. The Spaniard did not issue a single yellow card until the final minute of the first period and issued just two more in the second. Estrada was always prepared to let the game flow and helped contribute to what was an entertaining game. It was a good afternoon for the official.

What next?

Cordoba: Next up for Cordoba is a trip to fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday.

Atletico: Atletico, meanwhile, host David Moyes's Real Sociedad on Tuesday.