Griezmann ends drought as Atletico goes fourth

After Atletico had struggled in a quiet first half, Saul headed in with the team's first attempt on target, although he appeared to be in an offside position when Filipe Luis delivered the cross.

Published : Jan 08, 2017 01:01 IST

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring against Eibar.
Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring against Eibar.
lightbox-info

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring against Eibar.

Saul Niguez scored for the second straight LaLiga match and Antoine Griezmann ended his top-flight goal drought as Atletico Madrid battled to a much-needed 2-0 away victory over Eibar.

>MATCH CENTRE

After Atletico had struggled in a quiet first half, Saul headed in with the team's first attempt on target, although he appeared to be in an offside position when Filipe Luis delivered the cross.

Griezmann then sealed victory late on, striking for the first time in 10 league matches after an excellent one-two with substitute Kevin Gameiro — a goal that ended his worst top-flight drought for the club.

Atletico had lost three of its last four away matches without scoring, but this victory ended its woes on the road and moved the side up into fourth position, within nine points of leader Real Madrid having played a game more. 

Eighth-placed Eibar lost for only the second time at home this season but is now winless in four LaLiga matches as its season begins to lose momentum.

Eibar made a solid start, with Florian Lejeune's header kept out by Atletico goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya at the second attempt.

Adrian had a low shot saved by Moya after neat work from Ander Capa to create the opportunity, before referee Jesus Gil Manzano rejected the hosts' ambitious penalty claim when Sime Vrsaljko handled.

Atletico was struggling to make an impression as an attacking force and Griezmann dragged a shot wide from its best first-half opportunity.

Eibar could have gone into the break ahead, Sergi Enrich's control letting him down from an excellent shooting position after Stefan Savic had deflected Pedro Leon's cross into his path.

But it was the visitor which scored nine minutes into the second half when a short corner led to Filipe Luis' left-wing cross being deftly headed in by Saul, who appeared to have drifted beyond the home defence.

A buoyed Saul promptly had another attempt from just outside the penalty area saved by Eibar keeper Yoel.

But the host was not conceding defeat lightly, Fran Rico somehow unable to turn in substitute Bebe's corner at the far post before Leon fired an excellent chance wide having been afforded space in the box.

It was game over, though, with 16 minutes left on the clock. Griezmann started the move himself by driving at Eibar's defence, finding Gameiro before getting on the end of his team-mate's cut-back to score his seventh league goal of the campaign from close range.

That was Griezmann's first top-flight goal since October 2 and Atletico could have netted a third, Gameiro denied by both Yoel and the side-netting with a late chance.

Eibar almost grabbed a late consolation, but Jose Gimenez hacked Nano's effort off the line as Atletico celebrated a vital win on the road.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment