Atletico Madrid's Title Hopes Take A Hit At Celta Vigo As Valencia Move Back Up To Fourth

Atletico Madrid were a shadow of the side that beat Real Madrid 4-0 last weekend as a 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo dented their title hopes.

Celta dominated the opening 45 minutes without creating a clear-cut opportunity, but they were handed the chance to open the scoring in controversial circumstances from the penalty spot as the referee missed a handball by Augusto Fernandez in the build-up before Nolito was upended by Mario Suarez inside the area.

Nolito stepped up to send Miguel Angel Moya the wrong way from the spot and could only look on in disbelief moments later when Joaquin Larrivey somehow failed to turn his cross into an open goal.

Atletico then came alive as Sergio Alvarez saved from Saul Niguez and Antoine Griezmann, but they were caught on the break 19 minutes from time when Michael Krohn-Dehli fed Fabian Orellana to drill the ball into the far corner.

Valencia needed an Alvaro Negredo penalty 19 minutes from time to see off Getafe 1-0 and move back above Sevilla into fourth.

The on-loan Manchester City striker cheekily chipped home the winner from the spot after he had been brought down by Juan Rodriguez.

Villarreal's chances of a top four finish were dented, however, as they were undone by second-half goals by Alberto Bueno and Gael Kakuta in a 2-0 defeat at Rayo Vallecano.

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