MADRID: Antoine Griezmann grabbed a goal and an assist as Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways with a 3-0 home victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday, with Memphis Depay making his debut.

Real Sociedad, third, continued their fine form with a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano, while struggling Sevilla snatched a 1-0 win over Cadiz with a late Ivan Rakitic penalty.

First-half goals from Griezmann, Alvaro Morata and Mario Hermoso earned fourth-placed Atletico just their second win in their last seven league games, while a fifth straight defeat for Valladolid leaves them one point above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Atletico are 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who have two games in hand.

Diego Simeone’s side took control of the game early on, scoring all three of their goals in a 10-minute span.

Griezmann set up Morata for the first in the 18th minute with a clever flick, before getting on the scoresheet himself with a delightfully improvised backheel goal.

The Frenchman was heavily involved in the third goal as well, finding Hermoso with a free-kick. Hermoso’s 28th-minute header was denied by Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip but the rebound fell back at his feet and the Atletico defender found the net.

“We knew the importance of the game and of getting the three points and continuing the fight. The objective is to keep growing every day and turn things around,” goalscorer Hermoso told DAZN.

The game slowed down a little in the second period as Atletico sat back and defended, while a desperate Valladolid pressed for a goal but were unable to break down their opponents.

Depay came in the 75th minute in place of Morata and the Dutch international’s introduction livened up the game towards the end, as he created a couple of half chances for Atletico.

Real Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano earlier Saturday to pull level on 38 points with Real Madrid.

The visitors opened the scoring at Vallecas after 15 minutes when veteran playmaker David Silva set up Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth, who prodded home.

The striker now has five goals in his last five league games for the club.

Ander Barrenetxea doubled the Basque side’s lead in the 36th minute flying in to convert a flicked-on corner.

It was the 21-year-old forward’s first start since a severe hamstring injury in January 2022.Meanwhile, Sevilla climbed out of the relegation zone with a tight win over 19th place Cadiz at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Their coach Jorge Sampaoli was sent off for dissent in the second half with the game goalless.

Sevilla had chances but could not convert them, until Rakitic slotted home from the penalty spot with two minutes to go.

Cadiz defender Ivan Alejo conceded the spot kick and was sent off when he handled a cross falling into the path of Lucas Ocampos, who returned from a loan at Ajax earlier this week.

Earlier Espanyol earned a 1-0 win over Real Betis thanks to Martin Braithwaite’s strike.

Published in Dawn, January 23th, 2023