Atlético pulverise Malaga

Atlético got off to a furious start, with 80% possession in the opening exchanges and a quickfire brace from Torres for his ninth and tenth goals of the season.

The first came after just six minutes, a tap-in from close range after Maxi's shot was parried by stand in 'keeper Goitia. He made it two just three minutes later after Martin Petrov fed Mateja Kezman, who was unable to shoot but set Torres up for a clinical low finish to Goitia's left.

Malaga worked their way back into the match with Salva Bellesta going close with a few headers and Duda wasting a series of good opportunities from free-kicks. Malaga were annoyed at the referee's decision to pull back play when Duda was caught after releasing Gerardo into a good attacking position.

It was 3-0 five minutes before the break, Maxi with the far post finish after a Petrov free-kick from the left was flicked on by Kezman, who saw a penalty saved by Goitia on the stroke of half time. The Malaga stand-in 'keeper was lucky to even be on the pitch, as it was his rash challenge that sent Torres flying after the Spain international was put clean through.

The second half was a much scrappier if more evenly-matched affair, Malaga putting the boot in and Atlético struggling to maintain their furious first-half rhythm.

Atlético had a great chance when Maxi was put through but Goitia saved with his legs. Martin Petrov was taken off to a standing ovation on 66 minutes, and his replacement Antonio Varela had an immediate effect.

He picked the ball up just inside the Malaga half with his first touch of the ball, ghosted past three defenders and let rip with a spectacular left-foot shot from the edge of the box that bent past Goitia to put the result beyond any doubt.

Malaga went down to ten men with 12 minutes remaining when Duda swung an elbow at goalscorer Varela, who made a meal of the contact but the intent was clear.

Varela made it five in injury time, rising unmarked in the box to nod a free-kick into the bottom right corner.

Malaga continue to lie bottom of La Liga with no wins this calendar year, while Atlético rise above Villarreal in seventh on goal difference.

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