Atletico Madrid run riot over rivals Real

Atletico Madrid’s recent dominance over Real Madrid shows no sign of letting up after the Rojiblancos thrashed their city rivals 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon.

Much had been made of the hosts’ physical approach ahead of kick-off and they swarmed all over their visitors from the outset building a 2-0 lead within 18 minutes.

Iker Casillas should have done better with the first as he allowed Tiago’s 18-yard strike squirm under his body, but he could do nothing about the second.

Saul Niguez, an early replacement for the injured Koke, meeting Guilherme Siqueira’s cross with an acrobatic finish.

Real were flat, not registering a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, and Carlo Ancelotti reacted by throwing on Jese for Sami Khedira.

The visitors were initially bright after the break but were unable to find a way back into the game and Antoine Griezmann made sure of the three points as he bundled home with 23 minutes left.

And there was still time for Fernando Torres to come off the bench and set up Mario Mandzukic to add a fourth.

Though Real still lead the table with 54 points, Atletico are now third with 50 - the same as second-placed Barcelona, who can go one point behind Real if they defeat Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

8’ – OUCH! – Diego Godin clashes with Sami Khedira as they go up for a header at a corner, giving the Uruguayan a bloody nose that needs to be plugged with cotton wool up both nostrils.

14’ – GOAL FOR ATLETI – Juanfran finds space on the right, and Mandzukic does well to keep his cross alive before teeing up Tiago. The Portuguese midfielder fires a shot from the edge of the area that squirms under Casillas and in.

18’ – GOAL FOR ATLETI – And what a goal. Saul meets Siqueira’s cross from the left with an emphatic overhead kick.

32’ – CHANCE FOR REAL – Toni Kroos swings in a free-kick that is met by Khedira, Atleti only half clear allowing Karim Benzema a shot at goal that is deflected away.

60’ – CHANCES FOR GRIEZMANN – The French winger goes close to grabbing a third on three occasions, the closest an overhead that loops over.

67’ – GOAL FOR ATLETI – The ball is bundled into the back of the net via a mixture of Raphael Varane and Griezmann as Saul heads Arda Turan’s cross back across goal. Game over.

89’ – GOAL FOR ATLETI – Substitute Torres supplies a pin-point cross to the far post, where Mandzukic heads home a fourth.

Victory was Atletico's biggest against Real at home for almost exactly 65 years (since winning 5-1 on February 12, 1950).

It was the first time Atletico had scored four against Real since 1987.

Real are now winless in their last six games against Atletico in all competitions since beating them in last season's Champions League final.

The visitors did not have a single shot on target in the whole game. The first time that has happened this season.

Are the wheels coming off for Real? Prior to the winter break it seemed as though Los Blancos would stroll to another La Liga title, yet since the season's resumption they have slumped to defeat against Valencia, been dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico and now suffered their worst Madrid derby defeat at the Vicente Calderon for 55 years. Of course, they still have a four-point cushion at the top of the table - for 24 hours at least - but injuries appear to be taking their toll. Without Sergio Ramos and Pepe, Real looked very vulnerable at the back while there was minimal cover afforded by the midfield despite Khedira lining up alongside Kroos. Atletico on the other hand were just more hungry than their opponents and took advantage of their weaknesses clinically.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico): Was awarded the third goal although it looked as though it may have come off Varane last, and it was no more than he deserved. Was a more than willing runner for his team all afternoon and gave Real's makeshift backline numerous problems.

Atletico Madrid: Moya 7, Juanfran 8, Miranda 7, Godin 7, Siqueira 7, Turan 7, Gabi 7, Tiago 7, Koke 6, Griezmann 9, Mandzukic 8... Subs: Saul 8, Raul Garcia 7, Torres 7

Real Madrid: Casillas 5, Carvajal 5, Varane 6, Nacho 5, Coentrao 4, Isco 5, Kroos 5, Khedira 5, Bale 4, Benzema 4, Ronaldo 4... Subs: Jese 5, Illaramendi 6, Hernandez 5