Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic strike in comfortable win for Atletico Madrid over Almeria

Antoine Griezmann grabbed a double, with Mario Mandzukic also finding the net, as Atletico Madrid closed the gap at the top of La Liga to just four points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Almeria.

Diego Simeone’s men took just 13 minutes to open the scoring, with referee Mateu Lahox awarding a contentious penalty kick to the home side for a perceived foul on Diego Godin. Mandzukic stepped up to convert from 12 yards.

And the Liga champions doubled their advantage after 20 minutes when Griezmann raced clean through on goal from a Mandzukic through ball to finish into the bottom corner, across the Algeria goalkeeper Julian.

The Frenchman added a third just before the half-hour mark, making the most of a recycled corner kick to take the ball on the chest and finish underneath Julian, giving Atletico a commanding lead going into the interval.

That was where the scoring stopped, with Simeone withdrawing a number of key players with next week’s Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen in mind. They may yet regret the harsh red card shown to Guilherme Siqueira in stoppage time.

12’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1 Almeria 0: Mandzukic steps up to the 12-yard mark and rolls his penalty kick into the net, with the keeper diving the wrong way.

20’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 2 Almeria 0: Well, that was too easy. Velez loses the ball, with Griezmann racing clean through on goal, finishing into the bottom corner.

29’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 3 Almeria 0: And there's the third goal for the home side! Griezmann latches on to a cross into the box and finishes under the keeper, Julien.

48’ TIAGO BLOCK: Good block from Tiago! Thievy strikes a cleared corner kick delivery from the edge of the penalty area, but with the shot on target the Atletico Madrid midfielder does well to stick out a leg.

60’ ALMERIA CHANCE: That wasn't too far away from Corona. The attacking midfielder takes the ball on his chest before striking on the volley towards goal, but the ball flashes past the post. Moya was concerned about that!

78’ GARCIA CROSS: Torres should have been waiting for that cross! Garcia does really well to get to the byline and plays a pass right across the face of goal, but there is nobody in red and white waiting there.

89’ ATLETICO SHOT: Good shot, good save. Saul works a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box and fires off an effort from 20 yards out, but Julien is on hand to make the stop and push it away from danger.

91’ SENT OFF: Oh, that's harsh! The Atletico Madrid left back is shown a second yellow card for a handball, but I'm not so sure. It was very close to him.

Mandzukic is the fourth player from Spanish football to reach 20 official goals this season, after Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

For the first time in La Liga this season, Atletico Madrid scored three goals during the first half of a home game.

The Argentine insists that he is looking over his shoulder to the likes of Valencia and Sevilla who are aiming to snatch away Atletico Madrid’s Champions League spot, rather than targeting this season’s Liga title. But with victory over Almeria has taken Simeone’s side to within four points of Real Madrid and three points of Barcelona. Just like last season, the Atletico manager’s words should be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Croatian striker was afforded the chance to open the scoring very fortunately, with the decision to award Atletico Madrid a penalty kick somewhat contentious to say the least. But Mandzukic’s overall contribution went beyond his strike from 12 yards, setting up Griezmann’s first and forming a partnership with his French strike partner. He may have endured some teething problems at the Vicente Calderon but Mandzukic is very quickly becoming Atletico’s most important player.

Atletico Madrid - Moya 5, Siqueira 6, Godin 6, Miranda 6, Juanfran 6, Tiago 6, Gabi 5, Saul 6, Turan 5, Griezmann 8, Mandzukic 8. Subs - Torres 6, Garcia 5, Suarez 6.

Almeria - Julian 5, Dubarbier 6, Trujillo 5, Dos Santos 7, Macedo 6, Verza 5, Velez 4, Edgar 5, Corona 5, Thievy 6, Hemed 4. Subs - Soriano 6, Wellington 5, Casado.