Perfect start for Atletico

Raul Garcia and Diego Costa extended Atletico Madrid's 100 per cent start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Valladolid.

Second-half goals from Raul Garcia and Diego Costa extended Atletico Madrid's 100 per cent start to the season into a fifth game. After a low-key first half at Estadio Nuevo Jose Zorrilla, Garcia headed in Jorge Koke's cross following a corner and Costa slotted home a second goal to make the game safe. The result means Atletico keep pace with Barcelona at the Primera Division summit and are behind only on goal difference, while Valladolid have only one win from five games. Atletico's Gabi Fernandez flashed an early shot just wide from long range, and Valladolid were soon to threaten as Patrick Ebert set up Javi Guerra whose shot was blocked. Koke saw a header blocked from Gabi's cross before Valladolid enjoyed a spell of pressure, though Valdet Rama, Patrick Ebert and Omar Ramos all failed to hit the target. Diego Godin's header at the other end was saved by Diego Marino and half-time arrived goalless, with Rama again shooting wide. The second half was much improved, with Atletico in particular responding to coach Diego Simeone's half-time words. They took the lead in the 56th minute from their second corner in quick succession. The first saw Garcia meet Jorge Koke's delivery with a firm header which Marino tipped over and Koke's second corner was cleared back to him, but he returned the ball into the box and Garcia at the near post this time headed home. Koke then shot wide but from the resulting goal kick, Marino was forced to atone for his own calamitous error. The keeper's short pass out presented the ball to Costa but Marino superbly saved his shot, with Garcia firing the rebound over. Costa headed over but doubled the visitors' lead from his next chance, stroking the ball home from 12 yards with Koke again the provider. Valladolid were unable to find a way back into the game as Ebert drilled a dangerous free-kick into the wall and Humberto Osorio's shot was blocked. And Atletico could have extended their lead further as Gabi shot over, Cristian Rodriguez saw a shot blocked and Mario Suarez curled an effort just wide.