Atlético Madrid 3 - Deportivo La Coruña 2

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Antonio López; Maxi (Gabi 88'), Luccin, Ibagaza (Colsa 93'), Petrov; Kezman (Galletti 74'), Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.
Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Juanma, Coloccini, Capdevila; Héctor, Duscher, Sergio (Rubén Castro 46'), De Guzman (Xisco 85'), Munitis; Diego Tristán (Arizmendi 46'). 4-5-1.

Team changes: Atlético: No change / Depor: Juanma, Héctor, Duscher for Romero, Valerón, Iago.

Goals:
1-0. 33. Maxi. Volley on far post past Molina after Petrov shot ballooned up.
1-1. 47. Rubén Castro. Wide free kick which bounced past everyone in to the net.
2-1. 54. Antonio López. Curled free kick over defensive wall into top corner of net.
2-2. 57. Capdevila. Low header on far post after Héctor headed on Munitis corner.
3-2. 81. Maxi. Got on the end of Petrov cross to flick ball past keeper with heel.

It was third time lucky for Atlético on Saturday night. Twice they went ahead against Deportivo but were pegged back by the Galicians. But Maxi Rodriguez's winning goal, a lovely flick with the outside of his right foot from a Petrov cross, was a goal worthy of winning any game.

The opening half hour was largely uneventful and gave little suggestion of the action to come. Petrov looked the player most likely to do something out of the ordinary and the Bulgarian star curled a free kick just wide in 24 minutes. Petrov was also involved in the opening goal on 33 minutes. He did well to keep a long ball in play and hooked it back into the danger area for Maxi Rodriguez to volley home from a difficult angle.

The home side kept pressing. Torres controlled a through ball neatly and let fly from a similar position to the opening goal but this time Molina was equal to it and blocked with his foot. Then Kezman sent a free header straight at Molina before Petrov tried to surprise Molina at his near post with another direct free kick. Again the Argentinean goalkeeper saved well. Just before half time Kezman was lucky to stay on the pitch after clumsy tackle from behind on Munitis. The Serb had already been booked.

Deportivo's attacking contribution to the first half had been negligible. So, Rubén was brought on for the ineffective Tristan. The substitution paid off immediately as Depor drew level within a minute of the restart. Rubén chipped a free kick into the penalty area. The cross missed everyone, deceiving Leo Franco and ending up in the back of the net.

Atlético went ahead again in the 54th minute from a beautifully executed Antonio Lopez free kick. But home celebrations were short lived as just three minutes later a Munitis corner was flicked on for Capdevila to head in from close range.

There were loud appeals for penalty after Kezman went down in box as the home crowd and players grew desperate for a much needed home victory. However, they finally got their wish with Maxi's well taken winner. This time Atlético held on to record their first home league win since they beat Cádiz at the end of October. Meanwhile, Depor will lick their wounds before locking horns with Valencia again in a double header next week.