Atletico Madrid snapped a three-game winless streak in La Liga by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home Saturday to move level on points with table-topping Barcelona.
Saul Niguez put injury-stricken Atletico ahead in the 28th minute while Alvaro Morata bundled the ball in from close range in the 64th to seal their first home league win for four games.
Atletico have 19 points after 10 games along with champion Barca, who have a game in hand after the “Clasico” against Real Madrid was postponed until December due to security concern.
⏱️ Don't forget, the clocks go back tonight... ?
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) October 26, 2019
...but there are 5 more #LaLigaSantander matches to look forward to tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/sR8qsxlIj5
The victory helped ease tension at Wanda Metropolitano after fans booed the team and especially midfielder Koke in the midweek 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Atletico were without their record 126m euro ($139.58m) signing Joao Felix due to an ankle injury and first-choice central defenders Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic, while Diego Simeone left out Diego Costa in favour of Angel Correa.
Argentine Correa has enjoyed little first team football this season and was making only his second start in the league but he played a decisive role in the victory by setting up both goals.
Atleti draw level with leaders Barça on 19 points! ?⚪️?#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/L8KgbiXRZO
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) October 26, 2019
He used strength and pace to burst into the box and roll the ball across for Saul to strike it into the net to break the deadlock against an Athletic side who before the game had the joint-best defensive record in the league along with Atletico.
Correa then got down to the byline to send a low cross towards Morata, who only had to guide the ball into the net.
The visitor had nearly taken the lead early in the game when defender Inigo Martinez glanced a header towards the top corner but Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced an outstanding leaping save to keep the effort out.
Athletic then had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty waved away shortly after the opening goal when Iker Muniain appeared to be pushed to the ground by Saul.
