Diego Simeone has insisted that he was "happy" with the 1-1 draw that his Atletico Madrid side earned away at Espanyol yesterday afternoon.

It is a result that has all but ended Atletico's chances of retaining the La Liga title, but, having been made to play with 10 men for a half following the dismissal of Brazilian centre-back Miranda, Simeone was pleased with the outcome.

"I found the second half very well played on our part and even with ten, we could have won the match if their goalkeeper had not been so good," he told the club's official website.

"I'm leaving happy with the team's work. We did a fantastic job and with ten men we could have won the match."

The draw has left Atletico nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.