Alvaro Morata scored his first goal for Atletico Madrid since arriving on loan from Chelsea in a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday in La Liga
Saul Niguez added the second in the final stages for Diego Simeone’s side, who are second, seven points behind leaders FC Barcelona, while Villarreal remain 18th.
Morata had goals ruled out against his former sides Real Madrid and Juventus in previous games and saw a strike disallowed for offside in the 22nd minute against Villarreal.
However, the striker broke the deadlock shortly afterwards.
That was when he steered home Filipe Luis’s cross from the left to put the finishing touch on a slick team move and delight the Wanda Metropolitano.
Jose Gimenez blocked a Mario Gaspar effort in front of goal in the second half as Villarreal pushed for an equaliser, but eventually Saul wrapped up the points for the hosts.
Diego Costa sent the midfielder through on goal and he lobbed the ball high over Sergio Asenjo and down over Victor Ruiz on the goal-line.
Earlier Martin Braithwaite’s 89th minute equaliser earned Leganes a 1-1 draw with Valencia, leaving the visitors frustrated.
Valencia have drawn an incredible 15 matches out of 25 this season in Spain’s top flight and sit eighth after a disappointing draw with Leganes, 12th.
Geoffrey Kondogbia sent Valencia ahead at Butarque, heading home from Carlos Soler’s crossed free-kick.
Los Che were on top, dominating the ball but failing to create many clear chances.
Leganes, who have lost just one match at home all season in La Liga, refused to give up.
Denmark striker Braithwaite tucked home the equaliser from close range after his first effort was blocked.
Only a good save from Neto stopped Leganes going on to win the game in stoppage time, with the goalkeeper denying Youssef En-Nesryi, who should have scored.
“Leganes had a great game. We know how they play and they do it really well. We didn’t have control of the ball like in the first half and they scored an avoidable goal,” said Valencia defender Cristiano Piccini after their fourth consecutive league draw.
“We are furious, obviously, we work to win and lately it’s been really hard for us. We’re drawing a lot and everyone is fuming at this result.”(dpa/NAN)
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