Luis Suarez scored a braced against Elche on Saturday.© AFP
Luis Suarez scored twice from close variety in a 3-1 victory for Atletico Madrid against Elche on Saturday to move Diego Simeone’s side 3 points clear at the prime of La Liga. In a tight 1st half at the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico wasted a clear likelihood to take the lead when France forward Thomas Lemar drove the ball straight at Elche ‘keeper Edgar Badia as the defence opened up. Suarez was far more clinical in the 41st minute as the Uruguay forward got the slightest of touches to steer Kieran Trippier’s cross previous Badia to take the lead. The former Barcelona and Liverpool attacker then stretched to poke the lively Yannick Carrasco’s pass into the net in the 58th minute.
Lucas Boye’s highly effective header gave Elche hope in the second half but substitute Diego Costa, who has not hidden his aggravation at getting relegated to the bench because Suarez’s arrival, fired in a penalty with ten minutes remaining to wrap up the 3 points for Atletico.
“I’m very happy to be able to play again,” Costa told Movistar immediately after the game.
“I have taken some hard blows but I always pick myself up again. It’s hasn’t been easy but I have enough strength to fight.”
Atletico have 29 points, 3 more than Real Sociedad who stop by Levante later Saturday, although Barcelona host Valencia.
Champions Real Madrid play Eibar away on Sunday.