Atletico Madrid skipper Koke and Joao Felix have put them in command with vital goals their crucial La Laga clash at home to Villarreal.
Diego Simeone, who is watching on from the stands, due to a suspension for collecting five yellow cards, kept his cool as the Spanish international put them 2-1 up.
Paco Alcacer put the visitors in the opening stages with a spectacular strike, before Mexican international Angel Correa levelled it up just before the break.
⚽ Paco Alcacer gives Villarreal the lead!
💥 A sweet strike from the edge of the box gives the visitors something to build on against Atleti pic.twitter.com/IYYJjJLnaX
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) February 23, 2020
The hosts looked to push the issue after the break, with Villarreal keeper Sergi Asenjo saving from Alvaro Morata just after the restart.
Atletico Madrid then brought on the returning Kieran Trippier and Joao Felix, and the two substitutes played a key role in putting Atletico Madrid in front.
England international Trippier fed Correa inside the right channel of the box, and Koke burst across his man to head home the resulting cross on 64 minutes.
🔴⚪ Atleti have turned it around!
👏 Koke heads the home team in front against Villarreal pic.twitter.com/PSPqrcczqX
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) February 23, 2020
And Koke turned provider on 74 minutes, as his hard work on the edge of the Villarreal box forced an error, and Felix marked his return to the side with an accomplished finish from 20 yards.
