First Division - Day 31

Atlético Madrid 3 - Numancia 0

Atlético: Leo Franco; Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Perea, Antonio López; Maxi (Sinama-Pongolle 86'), Paulo Assunçao, Raúl García (Banega 56'), Simao; Agüero (Luis García 90'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.
Numancia: Juan Pablo; Juanra, Sergio Ortega, Boris, Cisma; Nagore, Dimas; Del Pino (Quero 69'), Barkero, Bellvis (Lago Junior 81'); Goiria (Gorka Brit 68'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Perea for Pablo / Numancia: Dimas, Del Pino, Bellvis for Mario, Moreno, Aranda.

Goals:
1-0. 61. Banega. Picked up Forlán pass and rounded Ortega to score.
2-0. 78. Forlán. Connected with Simao cross to shoot low past keeper.
3-0. 90. Simao. Collected ball on edge of area and lobbed Juan Pablo.

Yellow cards: Raúl García 07', Juanra 18', Heitinga 30', Lago Junior 88'.

Atlético Madrid moved up to fourth pending Sunday's games after beating Numancia 3-0 on Saturday evening. After two disappointing defeats Atlético beat European rivals Deportivo last weekend, and they were looking to consolidate their position. But despite having most of the play they were unable to break down a well organised defence, Maxi missing a couple of chances and Forlén and Agüero coming up against Juan Pablo. And they could even have been behind at the break had Goiria not missed a sitter early on.

It was left to substitute Banega to break the ice, picking up Forlán's pass and beating his marker to score his first goal since joining from Valencia in the summer. Barkero had a goal ruled out by referee Undiano Mallenco for a non-existent offside, but soon afterwards Forlán got the second after Simao set him up, and Simao himself wrapped things up though right at the end with a shot which took a deflection off Ortega.