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Griezmann fires Atletico to win over Espanyol

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Griezmann fires Atletico to win over Espanyol
Antoine Griezmann shoots to score against Espanyol.(AFP)

Barcelona - The win lifts Diego Simeone's team level on points with Barcelona atop

By AP

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Published: Sat 22 Dec 2018, 9:41 PM

Last updated: Sat 22 Dec 2018, 11:53 PM

Antoine Griezmann scored a second-half penalty to help Atletico Madrid eke out a 1-0 win at home over Espanyol, lifting Diego Simeone's team level on points with Barcelona atop the Spanish league on Saturday.
Griezmann fired in the spot kick in the 56th minute after Jorge "Koke" Resurreccion was fouled by Esteban Granero in the area.
Atletico is in second place on goal difference. Barcelona hosted Celta Vigo later Saturday.
Espanyol started well as Borja Iglesias drew two saves from goalkeeper Jan Oblak before Leo Baptistao hit the post in the 28th.
But Atletico then tightened up its defense and got the goal it needed from Griezmann.
Espanyol fell into 12th place after a sixth consecutive loss.
Earlier, Alaves won at Real Sociedad 1-0 to head into the winter break of the Spanish league.
The small club from the northern Basque Country beat its regional rival Sociedad thanks to an early goal by Jonathan Calleri. The Argentine striker headed in a cross from Borja Baston in the 11th minute.
"We looked to score and then protect our advantage," Calleri said. "It was a very good cross from Borja. We had talked about him looking for me at the far post."
Alaves has proven to be the surprise of La Liga as its season reaches its midway point. Its success is largely based on a stingy defense that has kept it unbeaten in all eight of its home games. Its win at Sociedad broke a dip in form that kept it winless in four rounds.
Soceidad's fans booed their team at Anoeta Stadium after a fourth consecutive loss that left it in 16th place of the 20-team league.
"We have to improve in every aspect," Sociedad midfielder David Zurutuza said. "We have trouble scoring, especially against teams like (Alaves) which defend in their half."
Sociedad gave a debut to 16-year-old Ander Barrenetxea as a late substitute. Also, Girona got an 85th-minute goal from defender Bernardo Espinosa to rescue a 1-1 draw at home with sixth-place Getafe


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