Atletico de Madrid 3 - 1 Espanyol - Arda the artist in Atleti victory

Posted Sunday, April 22, 2012 by PA

Two goals in two second-half minutes from Arda Turan guided Atletico Madrid to a comfortable 3-1 win over Espanyol in the Primera Division.

Diego Godin had headed the hosts in front inside 10 minutes but Didac Vila replied for Espanyol with a fine finish shortly afterwards.

Arda restored Atletico's lead just before the hour mark with a stunning overhead kick and the Turkish midfielder extended the lead moments later as his left-footed shot crept past Cristian Alvarez at his near post.

Atletico came into the game on a high after a dominant performance in their 4-2 win over Valencia in the Europa League on Thursday and they started positively as Diego fired a shot just inches wide of Alvarez's left-hand post.

The hosts then went in front after nine minutes as Diego's corner was glanced in at the far post by Godin.

However, Espanyol were quick to respond and were level within 10 minutes as Sergio Garcia showed some quick feet on the right side of the penalty area and his cross was slammed in off the underside of the bar by Didac.

Eduardo Salvio nearly restored the hosts' lead within minutes but his fierce drive was turned away by Alvarez and Ndri Romaric was extremely unlucky at the other end as his free-kick came off the inside of the post.

Atletico started the second half as they had the first though and put the game to bed with two goals either side of the hour mark from Arda.

The first was an astonishing display of technique from the Turk as he bicycle kicked Juanfran's cross from the right to bullet the ball past Alvarez.

His second moments later was altogether more scrappy as he burst on to a long ball through the middle, turned inside and saw his shot somehow trickle past Alvarez and in off the inside of the post.

Salvio nearly made it four with a fine drive from outside the box that cannoned off the post and Alvarez denied Radamel Falcao his customary goal at the Calderon as the Argentinian dived bravely at the striker's feet as he tried to latch on to Adrian Lopez's pass.

A second consecutive win moves Atleti up to seventh, just three points off Malaga in the final Champions League place, whilst Espanyol's European hopes are slipping away as they remain in 10th.