Atletico place one foot in final

Forlan: Kept his cool from the spot

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Atletico Madrid continued to use the Copa del Rey as a welcome distraction from woeful La Liga form as they demolished Racing Santander 4-0 in their semi-final first leg.

The comfortable win at the Vicente Calderon came courtesy of goals from Simao, Jose Antonio Reyes and two Diego Forlan penalties.

Another terrible league display in Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Malaga had piled pressure on manager Quique Sanchez Flores, but the Madrid native will hope cup form has earned a little breathing space.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had offered Sanchez Flores, who was only appointed last October, his backing prior to kick-off and believed the manager would be in charge for the cup final 'if we get there'.

It would appear that such caution is now unnecessary as 13th-placed Atletico cruised to victory over a side who sit only one place and one point above them in the league.

Controversial

Simao wasted little time in earning his side the lead when in the ninth minute the Portuguese smashed in a volley after a cross from the excellent Sergio Aguero.

Former Arsenal player Reyes then added a second just five minutes before half-time when he took advantage of sloppy Racing defender to score at the back post.

Forlan took over the scoring in the second half as the Uruguayan converted two penalties in the space of nine minutes.

In the 63rd minute the ex-Manchester United man converted a highly-controversial spot-kick which had been awarded despite Segura Toni Moral appearing to foul Jose Manuel Jurado at least three yards outside of the penalty area.

Forlan's second penalty was far less debatable in the 72nd minute as the striker made no mistake after Racing's Marc Torrejon seemed to lose his head when scything down Aguero.