Rayo Vallecano 2-4 Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid climbed back above city rivals Real to the top of La Liga when the Turkey playmaker Arda Turan struck twice in a 4-2 victory at Rayo Vallecano.

Real claimed the overnight lead after Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Granada before Atlético restored their one-point advantage with a typically efficient victory in the Madrid suburbs.

The champions, Barcelona, can join them on 54 points from 21 matches by beating Málaga at home in the late kick-off.

Spain’s record scorer, David Villa, set Atlético on their way in the eighth minute when he struck a first-time shot high into the net from Diego Costa’s neat layoff.

The Atlético goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved a 12th-minute Jonathan Viera penalty before Arda made it 2-0 on the half hour after more good work from Costa.

The Brazil-born forward fed José Sosa and, despite having a clear shooting opportunity, he unselfishly squared for Arda to finish into an empty net.

Second-to-bottom Rayo, who play attractive football but have a disastrously leaky defence, pulled a goal back in the 40th minute when Viera finished off a sweeping move and Arda scored his second moments before the break.

The stocky midfielder nipped in at the back post and volleyed a deflected Gabi free-kick in from a tight angle.

Costa, the second-highest scorer in La Liga this season behind Cristiano Ronaldo, appeared to have netted his 20th of the campaign in the 75th minute but it was ruled an own goal and attributed to the Rayo midfielder Saúl Níguez.

Joaquín Larrivey nodded a second for Rayo a minute later and Atlético had to withstand late pressure, but Courtois capped another fine performance with a couple of impressive saves.

• La Liga
• Rayo Vallecano
• Atlético Madrid
• European club football

theguardian.com