Atletico de Madrid 1 - 1 Mallorca - Both teams spot on in draw

Posted Sunday, October 23, 2011 by PA

Atletico Madrid ended a three-match run without a goal in the Primera Division but were still unable to see off Real Mallorca in a 1-1 draw at the Vicente Calderon.

Gregorio Manzano's inconsistent side conceded a penalty within the opening 30 seconds, which was converted by Tomer Hemed - the first goal Atletico had conceded at home this season.

But summer signing Radamel Falcao replied from the spot two minutes before half-time to salvage a point.

The first action of the game was a Mallorca attack which ended when the referee adjudged Atletico defender Silvio had handled Fernando Tissone's pass inside the area.

Hemed, who scored an injury-time equaliser against Valencia last time out, was clinical from the spot, firing down the centre.

Atletico gradually grew into the game and began to press as the half wore on.

Tiago flashed a 20-yard shot wide and Falcao forced Mallorca keeper Dudu Aouate into a smart parry in the 18th minute.

Diego tried his luck from long-range two minutes later before Silvio attempted to atone for his earlier error with an effort which was off-target.

It was one-way traffic, a wayward Gonzalo Castro shot wide, and the equaliser duly came shortly before the break.

Ivan Ramis nudged Falcao in the back and the Colombian made no mistake with a coolly-taken penalty.

Falcao nearly doubled his tally a minute later but could only place his header straight at Aouate.

Israel international Aouate was to prove a key player in the second period as Atletico poured forward in search of a winner.

He excelled to tip a Jose Reyes shot round the post after 67 minutes and was then on hand to deny the former Sevilla and Arsenal man again from a free-kick seven minutes from time.

Falcao had a late chance to snatch the win for the Rojiblancos but nodded wide after being picked out by Diego's 88th-minute free-kick.