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Levante logo
La Liga
May 4, 2014 at 4pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

2-0

Filipe (7' og.), Barral (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Atletico Madrid slip up in title race

Atletico miss the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga after slumping to a 2-0 defeat away to Levante.

Atletico Madrid have missed the chance to move six points clear at the summit of La Liga courtesy of a 2-0 defeat away to Levante this afternoon.

Atletico Madrid's forward David Villa reacts during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on May 4, 2014© Getty Images

Diego Simeone's side, who were vying for their 10th successive league win, slumped to their first loss since February as a Filipe Luis own goal and a David Barral strike dented their title bid.

The hosts took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances through an own goal from Luis, who diverted the ball into his own net as keeper Thibaut Courtois saw himself beaten for the first time in the league since March.

Atletico could, and perhaps should, have levelled matters midway through the first half as Raul Garcia saw his shot saved by Keilor Navas at point-blank range before David Villa sent the rebound over the bar.

As the minutes increased so did the visitors' hunger to equalise as Loukas Vyntra cleared off the line from Luis, while the usually lethal Diego Costa fired a Gabi cross narrowly wide of the post.

The hosts absorbed the pressure before Joaquin Caparros's side then doubled their advantage against the run of play, as Barral slotted beyond Courtois with 20 minutes remaining.

Adrian Lopez came within the width of the woodwork of reducing the arrears, only to watch his curling effort strike the post as Simeone's men missed the opportunity to claim one of the two wins necessary to clinch the title.

Consequently, the Rojiblancos remain three points clear of Barcelona - who they face at Camp Nou on the final day - and six ahead of local rivals Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.

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Diego Ribas of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 5, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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