Atletico hammer Getafe

Atletico Madrid kept the heat on Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division by crushing 10-man Getafe 7-0.

Atletico Madrid kept the heat on Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division by crushing 10-man Getafe 7-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday night. Diego Simeone's side made a sluggish start, but, once Raul Garcia had put them in front after 25 minutes, the visitors' resistance crumbled and the goals poured in - especially after Getafe full-back Juan Valera was sent off before half-time for picking up two yellow cards in nine minutes. An own goal by Lopo Garcia doubled the hosts' advantage 10 minutes after the first goal, and then Garcia widened the gap early in the second half, before a double from David Villa and goals from substitutes Diego Costa and Adrian completed the rout, the former producing a stunning overhead-kick which fizzed into the back of the net. Atletico rested Diego Godin, who had only returned from securing World Cup qualification with Uruguay a day earlier, while top scorer Costa began the game on the bench after recovering from the thigh strain which had prevented him from making his international debut with Spain. Toby Alderweireld replaced Godin while Garcia stepped in for Costa and more than fulfilled his role, scoring twice before making way for the 25-year-old with 29 minutes remaining. Atletico did not begin straight away with their usual intensity but were always in control. The only suggestion of Getafe creating anything that even resembled a chance in the first half was when Miranda slid in to prevent a through ball from reaching Angel Lafita. Atletico's first real opening was a shot from Garcia, which Pedro Leon cleared off the line. Getafe had come to stick tight on their opponents and were doing a good job of it until slack marking from a corner delivered by Koke allowed Garcia to head past goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya to break the deadlock. The ball was in the net again 11 minutes later, this time Koke shooting on goal but the ball bounced off the foot of Lopo Garcia and trickled into the far corner. Things then got even worse for Luis Garcia's side when Valera was shown a second yellow card for deliberate handball four minutes before half-time. In the second half the shackles were off Atletico, and Simeone's side took no prisoners. Villa tucked away a cross from Juanfran for the third goal four minutes after the restart, and three minutes later Garcia got his second headed goal of the night. The former Osasuna player almost hit a hat-trick moments later but thumped the upright with a volley. Garcia received an ovation as he left the pitch but his replacement Costa got an even bigger roar from the crowd, and toasted his return from injury with a sensational overhead-kick on 69 minutes. But there was still time for a further two goals. Villa got his second of the night by converting a cross from Adrian, and then the winger got a goal of his own in stoppage time to complete a glorious night for Atletico, who maintained their 100 per cent home record.