Captain Sergio Aguero scored twice as Atletico Madrid strengthened their bid for a UEFA Europa League berth with a 4-1 home victory over in-form Levante at the Vicente Calderon.
Atletico took the lead through Elias' free-kick and, although Levante levelled just before half-time with a Felipe Caicedo penalty, Aguero netted two goals after the break to put the Rojiblancos in charge before a late own goal from visiting goalkeeper Gustavo Munua completed the scoring.
The victory lifted sixth-placed Atletico onto 49 points and left them three clear of Sevilla, who play fourth-placed Villarreal later today, and four above Espanyol, who lost at Sporting Gijon.
Levante came into the match as one of the success stories of the season, going from rock-bottom of the standings in January to possible European challengers after racking up eight wins in 12 games, with their only defeat coming at Real Madrid. Another victory today would have left the promoted outfit just a point behind Atletico, but they ended up empty-handed as Quique Sanchez Flores' men deservedly claimed the win.
Elias puts Atletico aheadAtletico were quickly in charge and they took the lead in the 20th minute through January signing Elias, who thumped a free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar after Levante defender Victoriano Nano had body-checked Aguero on the edge of the area.
Elias came close to a second soon after with an effort that Munua turned past the post before Atletico striker Diego Costa had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside. However, Atletico would have to settle for a 1-1 scoreline going into half-time as Levante drew level in the 39th minute. Caicedo fired in from the spot after he had been brought down by Mario Suarez.
Levante then came within inches of taking the lead at the start of the second period, with Atletico goalkeeper David De Gea just managing to divert Jefferson Montero's low shot wide of the far post. Within three minutes of that let-off, though, Atletico got their noses in front. Aguero's 25-yard effort was blocked by Nano, but the Argentinian pounced on the loose ball and drove a first-time effort past Munua at his near post.
Atletico duo Filipe Luis and Costa both had chances to increase their side's lead, while at the other end Caicedo shot wide after a quick throw put him in behind the home defence, before Aguero made it 3-1 with a penalty. Castro went crashing following a challenge by Sergio Ballesteros and Aguero stepped up to send Munua the wrong way from the spot for his 16th league goal of the season.
Levante spurned two decent chances to set up an interesting finale, Christian Stuani and Valmiro Valdo both failing to hit the target when unmarked, and Atletico wrapped up the win with a fourth in the 84th minute.
Elias curled over a corner from the right, and after Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia had dived at the ball at the near post and seemingly missed it, Levante goalkeeper Munua deflected the cross into his own net.