Atletico de Madrid 5 - 0 Sporting de Gijon: Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres fire Atletico Madrid to thumping win

Posted Sunday, September 18, 2016 by PA

Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres both scored twice as Atletico Madrid claimed a 5-0 win over Sporting Gijon.

A day after manager Diego Simeone reduced the length of his contract by two seasons, Atletico produced a commanding performance as Kevin Gameiro scored in between two first-half goals from strike partner Griezmann.

Torres wrapped up a comprehensive victory in the second half as Atletico secured their second successive league success.

The win also saw Simeone's side keep up the early pace on title rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid after a slow start to the campaign.

After picking up their first league victory at Celta Vigo last weekend, the hosts got off to a flying start at the Vicente Calderon Stadium as Gameiro capitalised on a poor header from Sporting defender Isma Lopez before setting up Griezmann to slot home inside two minutes.

Fellow countryman Gameiro added a second three minutes later as the 29-year-old cut inside before unleashing a sublime strike past Ivan Cuellar.

Burgui twice came close to pulling a goal back but saw both strikes blocked as the visitors tried to respond.

But Atletico grabbed their third goal of the afternoon just after the half-hour mark as Griezmann, who has now scored four goals in as many league games, struck a beautiful shot from 25 yards into the top corner, giving Cuellar no chance.

Griezmann missed a glorious chance to claim his hat-trick in the second half but Torres scored the fourth on 72 minutes before netting a penalty in the last minute to complete a comfortable win.