Atletico Madrid have gone three points clear at the top of La Liga with a narrow 3-2 victory over Levante at home.

The visitors stunned the Vicente Calderon in the very first minute when they went ahead through Andreas Ivanschitz, who marched into the Atletico penalty box and then shot home.

Levante could have doubled their lead just 10 minutes later had Thibaut Courtois not kept out a well-struck shot from David Barral.

However, thereafter Atletico started to gain control of proceedings as Arda Turan's crosses began to unsettle the visiting defenders.

Diego Simeone's side's pressure eventually paid off on the half-hour mark when Diego Godin headed home Juanfran's floated cross from inside the Levante box.

Diego Costa put the Madrid outfit in the lead just two minutes into the second half with a left-footed volley that gave visiting goalkeeper Keylor Navas no chance.

However, Pedro Rios equalised for Levante 10 minutes later when he skipped past two defenders and fired home past Courtois.

There was still more drama to come at the Calderon, though, as Atletico maintained their perfect home record.

Ruben Garcia brought down Juanfran inside the Levante area with 14 minutes left on the clock, and Costa successfully slammed home the resulting spot kick.

Levante ended the contest with 10 men after Juanfran was send off in the final minute of normal time for clashing with Filipe Luis.