Atlético Madrid 1 - Villarreal 0

Atlético: Juanma; Gaspar, Lequi, Santi, Sergi; Novo, De los Santos, Jorge (Nano 80'), Musampa (Ibagaza 65'); Fernando Torres, Nikolaidis (Rodrigo 88'). 4-4-2.
Villarreal: Reina; Pedro Martí (José Marí 46'), Quique Alvarez, Ballesteros, Arruabarrena; Coloccini, Josico (Javi Venta 59'); Belletti, Riquelme, Guayre (César Arzo 78'); Sonny Anderson. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Santi for Simeone / Villarreal: Quique Alvarez for Roger.

Goals:
1-0. 54. Novo picked up return pass from Nikolaidis and shot past Reina.

Atlético Madrid recorded their fifth victory in a row to move up to fifth spot in the league, level on points with Barcelona who have a better goal difference. Gregorio Manzano's side were on top for most of the match, and could have scored on a number of occasions in the first half. For once though Fernando Torres was off target, shooting just wide a couple of times, and Reina did well to save from Jorge and then Nikolaidis on the follow up ten minutes before the break.

The pressure eventually paid off though, and Novo combined with Nikoladis to score the only goal of the match after the restart. Manzano brought on Ibagaza for Musampa, closing the debate as to whether he and his natural replacement Jorge were compatible together, but the visitors came back and Riquelme went close to making it all square when he hit the post with a free kick. Atlético held on though to put together their best run since they won the double in the 1995-96 season, and with Barcelona kicking off later in the day they occupied one of the Champions' League spots for a couple of hours. It's good to see them back where they belong.