Atletico continue head-on charge

Atletico de Madrid displayed their ruthlessness in the air once again to chalk up a 3-1 victory at home to Levante.

Antoine Griezmann nodded the 'Rojiblancos' ahead in the 18th minute, getting on the end of a cross from Guilherme Siqueira, and produced a similar finish to double the lead after the break after Mario Mandzukic had come close with a header of his own.
Nabil El Zhar pulled one back in the 62nd minute, but Diego Godin ended the contest with another header with seven minutes to go.

Griezmann was the undoubted main man for the La Liga champions, building on his hat-trick at San Mames before the Christmas break and in the process socking it to all those armchair coaches who have suggested that he will be the principal fall guy following Fernando Torres's arrival. With nine goals in his last seven starts and 11 overall this season, the Frenchman is more than repaying Diego Simeone's faith.

What's more, considering both of his goals came with his head this time round, there can be no doubt that the former Real Sociedad star has adapted to his new surroundings.

Griezmann started his second game on the bounce for the first time in over two months and made the difference for the Mattress Makers, who were by far the better team both on paper and on the pitch.

Levante offered practically nothing going forward when the match was goalless or after going behind, ceding the initiative to the hosts and only briefly rallying after rattling Atletico by making it 2-1.