Jackson Martinez, Yannick Carrasco lead Atletico Madrid to victory

Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

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Atletico Madrid defeated Valencia 2-1 to stay within two points of Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division.

The home side's pressure grew during the first half and goals from Jackson Martinez and Yannick Carrasco were the least they deserved.

A 72nd-minute penalty from Paco Alcacer gave Valencia hope of stealing a point, but the hosts held on.

Atletico went into the match on the back of successive domestic and European victories and they might have scored in the fifth minute but Juame Domenech did brilliantly to keep out Koke's low shot.

Valencia had a rare chance in the 22nd minute as Rodrigo played in Joao Cancelo down the right, but Jan Oblak saved the cross-shot with his feet.

Down the other end, Jose Gimenez sent a free header over the bar, but there was no let-off for Valencia in the 32nd minute.

Both Shkodran Mustafi and Aderlan Santos inexplicably failed to cut out a long ball from Filipe Luis and Martinez had the simple task of finding the net.

It was nevertheless a composed finish by the striker, who has taken time to adapt to life in the Primera Division following his big-money move from Porto.

Martinez almost scored again three minutes later when he was played through by Antoine Griezmann but this time Domenech produced a superb save.

The keeper was at it again from the corner, plunging to his right to keep out Diego Godin's header, with a little help from Jose Luis Gaya on the line.

But if Valencia thought they had ridden out the storm, they were mistaken, as in the 40th minute Carrasco cut in from the left and sent a low shot beyond Domenech.

After a quiet opening to the second half, Griezmann almost made it three in the 68th minute, poking his shot just wide after more good work by Carrasco.

That would have killed the game but moments later Valencia were given a lifeline when Godin foolishly bundled over Mustafi and Alcacer confidently converted the spot-kick.

However, it was Atletico who came closest to adding to the scoring, with Domenech saving from Juanfran before substitute Fernando Torres headed wide.