Sunday 25 January 2015 12:44, UK
Atletico Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon to stay within touching distance of Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Diego Simeone's side were forced to keep up the chase on the top two after Madrid rivals Real beat Cordoba 2-1 earlier on Saturday while Barca saw off Elche 6-0, and they did so courtesy of an Antoine Griezmann double in the first half.
Roberto Trashorras halved the deficit 10 minutes before half-time for Rayo, who stay in 10th place.
Manucho's own goal 11 minutes after half-time restored the two-goal advantage for Atletico, while Griezmann missed a string of second-half chances to complete a hat-trick and substitute Fernando Torres also spurned a fine opportunity.
Atletico are still just four points off Real Madrid's top spot, and three behind Barcelona.
Meanwhile, David Moyes sealed just his third La Liga win as Real Sociedad boss with a 1-0 victory over Eibar.
Moyes' side gained victory thanks to Xabier Prieto's strike in the 55th minute, putting the Basque side 11th in La Liga.
Villarreal moved level with Valencia in fifth as Luciano Vietto's second-half strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win against Levante.
