Espanyol 0 - Atlético Madrid 2

Espanyol: Lafuente; Zabaleta, Torrejón, David García, Chica; Coro, Angel Martínez, Lola, Riera; Luis García (Jonathan Soriano 80'), Ewerthon (Rufete 54'). 4-4-2.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Antonio López, Perea (Eller 62'), Pablo, Pernía (Seitaridis 46'); Maxi, Raúl García, Nacho Camacho, Luis García; Diego Forlán (Miguel 77'), Agüero. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: David García, Coro, Angel Martínez, Luis García for Jarque, Rufete, Moisés Hurtado, Jonathan Soriano / Atlético: No change.

Goals:
0-1. 27. Agüero. Stabbed ball past keeper after Pablo played on Maxi corner.
0-2. 30. Forlán. Turned ball back into net after Lafuente pushed out López cross.

Atlético Madrid consolidated fourth place with a 0-2 win on Thursday against an Espanyol side who have not won now in eight games. Both goals came in a three minute period around the half hour mark, Agüero opening the scoring after Pablo played on a corner and Diego Forlán getting the second after Lafuente could only push out Antonio López's cross.

Atlético could have been ahead earlier had Zabaleta not headed Agüero's early effort away from goal, and Lafuente had to save from Maxi before the break. Maxi almost scored a spectacular goal against his old side when he volleyed a first time shot against the bar from a wide angle, and Luis García came close to at least giving the fans some cheer when he hit the post with a wide free kick late on. Three important points for Atlético though, and they are now three ahead of Sevilla in the battle for the last Champions League spot.