The National Times - Alvarez double takes Atletico top with Valencia win

The Argentina international reached nine league goals for the season with his first half double before Angel Correa steered home the third late on.

The victory at Mestalla took the Rojiblancos two points clear of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Catalans visit Las Palmas later Saturday while champions Real Madrid host Girona on Sunday.

Valencia had won three in a row at home but defeat leaves them 18th, embedded in a fierce relegation battle.

Atletico started strongly and former Manchester City striker Alvarez opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

Samuel Lino hit the bar after receiving Antoine Griezmann's delicious cross, and Alvarez was on hand to fire home after the resulting scramble in the box.

Griezmann directly created Alvarez's second goal with another fine cross which the forward nodded home.

Umar Sadiq headed Valencia's only chance of the first half off-target as Carlos Corberan's side struggled to get going.

Alvarez should have completed his hat-trick before the break but fired narrowly wide after breaking through one-on-one.

Valencia came out far stronger in the second half and began to test Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, although the visitors had enough resolve to keep Los Che at bay.

Atletico extended their lead in the final stages when substitutes Conor Gallagher and Correa combined on the counter, with the latter stroking home.

Villarreal, fifth, kept the pressure on the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.

Ayoze Perez's 66th minute goal separated the two sides, with sixth-place Rayo playing the second half with 10 men after Jorge de Frutos was sent off before the break.

T.Ward--TNT