Koke-inspired Atletico produce a fine comeback

Rojiblancos get out of the blocks sharply

Atletico Madrid came out looking to impose themselves on proceedings and give the RCD Espanyol backline something to think about in the early stages. Despite the Blanquiazules being well organised defensively, Diego Simeone's charges nevertheless succeeded in carving out a number of openings. The closest that the visitors came to scoring was when a Fernando Torres effort crashed off the crossbar on 17 minutes.

Espanyol spur themselves into action

As the game wore on, Espanyol began to enjoy more possession and Jan Oblak had to be at his very best to prevent Gerard Moreno from putting the hosts ahead. However, the home side's pressure did tell shortly afterwards, when on 29 minutes Pape Diop powered home a header from a corner to put the Catalans into the ascendancy.

Torres's purple patch goes on

After getting his name on the scoresheet in his side's 5-1 drubbing of Real Betis and once again in the Champions League clash against FC Barcelona, the Madrid-born forward extended his fine goalscoring streak here. Torres drew the visitors level on 35 minutes, after brilliantly chesting the ball down before emphatically drilling past Pau Lopez in the Espanyol goal.

Griezmann to the rescue

There are very few players on the European scene who can claim to being in the sort of form that Antoine Griezmann is in right now. The French marksman was once again his side's saviour at the RCDE Stadium. The Atletico hitman put Simeone's men ahead on 58 minutes after controlling well in the area before firing powerfully into the far corner. This latest strike means that the Atletico number 7 has now hit the target in each of his side's last seven outings.

Atletico dance to the Koke beat

The Rojiblancos youth graduate was involved in everything for the visitors, playing a pivotal role as his side clawed their way back into the contest. The Spanish midfielder provided Torres and Griezmann with assists and put the result beyond all doubt by getting his name on the scoresheet in the final stages. Atletico's third came as Torres dug out a cross from the by-line which the stooping Koke met to round off the scoring in a 3-1 away triumph.