Atletico Madrid blew the La Liga title race wide open by extending their unbeaten run over Real Madrid to six games this season with a 4-0 thrashing of the European champions on Saturday.
First-half goals from Tiago and Saul Niguez put Atletico in command before Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic sealed a first home league win over Real since 1999 just after the hour mark.
– EPL round-up: Man City slip lets Chelsea go seven points clear
– #360view: Rodriguez’s injury a blessing as Ancelotti rotates squad
Atletico have now beaten their city rivals twice in La Liga and over two legs in the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey this season to bounce back in fine style from their heartbreaking loss in the Champions League final last season.
Real still lead their city rivals by four points, but Barcelona can move to within a point of the leaders should they beat Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Saul Niguez take a bow, what a goal! #atletico #niguez https://t.co/o6r06ajc6F
— Miha Žakelj (@MihaZakelj) February 7, 2015
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo returned from a two-game ban, but the visitors were otherwise depleted without the injured Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and suspended Marcelo.
The hosts went in front on 13 minutes when Mandzukic laid Juanfran’s cross from the right into the path of Tiago on the edge of the area and the Portuguese’s low effort had too much power for Iker Casillas, who will feel he should have kept it out.
Four minutes later Atletico doubled their lead with a move of real quality as Guilherme Siqueira hurtled down the left and his cross was acrobatically turned home by Saul with an overhead kick.
The Frenchman did get the goal his performance deserved 24 minutes from time when Saul headed Arda Turan’s cross back across goal and he outmuscled international team-mate Raphael Varane to prod home from a yard out.
And Real’s embarrassment was complete a minute from time when substitute Fernando Torres crossed for Mandzukic to power home a header into the far corner.
