Atletico Madrid remained at the top of the La Liga table with a 1-0 win over Granada at the Vicente Calderon thanks to Diego Costa’s winner.
Atletico produced the first chance of the game in the 10th minute as David Villa’s clever flick was blocked but the rebound fell to Arda Turan who could only find the side-netting.
Turan then let fly from outside the Granada box in the 21st minute but the Turkish international’s effort went just over the crossbar.
The visitors almost took a shock lead when Youssef El-Arabi headed just wide from a corner on the half-hour mark.
Granada seemed to grow in confidence as the half progressed and El-Arabi tested Atletico shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois in the 36th minute but the Belgium keeper was not tested.
The home side then did have the ball in the back of the net got on the end of a cross at the back post to head back across goal and Thiago was on hand to head home, but the defender was adjudged to have been pushing in the box and the goal was ruled out.
Villa then had a glorious chance to open the scoring at the Vicente Calderon but the veteran goal-poacher could not beat Roberto with his header in the 52nd minute.
Diego Costa was then thwarted on the hour mark as the striker got his head to a corner but Roberto did well to make a save and keep the game goalless.
Costa was not to be outdone and finally broke the deadlock at the Vicente Calderon as the in-form frontman rose highest in the box before towering his header home to make it 1-0 to Atletico and grab his 24th La Liga goal this season.
Diego Simeone’s men could have added to their lead but for the heroics of Granada goalkeeper Roberto who pulled off a string of fine saves.
Atletico stay top of the La Liga table with the result above Barcelona who are now in second place.
