Atletico Madrid have kept pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga by defeating Real Valladolid 2-0 at Estadio Nuevo Jose Zorrilla.

It was a tight game for much of the evening in North-West Spain but Diego Simeone's men took the spoils courtesy of second-half goals from Raul Garcia and Diego Costa.

Los Colchoneros came closest to scoring in an untidy first half when Miranda slammed a header against the crossbar from Koke's cross five minutes before the interval.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and would have taken the lead if not for Pucela goalkeeper Diego Marino, who made a wonderful save to deny Garcia from finding the net.

However, the midfielder did manage to beat Marino with a second header moments later - this one from a difficult angle.

Juan Ignacio Martinez urged his team on to find an equaliser but they came undone when Costa forced his way through the middle of Valladolid's defence before lashing into the net in the 72nd minute.

Diego Godin made a vital interception to prevent Manucho from giving the hosts an 83rd-minute lifeline after the striker had rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Cristian Rodriguez should have added to Atleti's tally with three minutes remaining, but he shot straight at Marino.