Saturday 4 November 2017 22:19, UK
Thomas Partey scored a dramatic late winner to hand Atletico Madrid a much-needed 1-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
Atletico's title hopes looked set to suffer another setback at the Riazor as they stumbled towards what would have been a seventh draw in their last eight matches in all competitions.
However, with regulation time up and Atletico seemingly out of ideas, the Rojiblancos won a free-kick 25 yards out which Gabi nudged to Thomas for the Ghana international to curl an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
The win was far from convincing and did little to answer Atletico's goalscoring problems - they have not netted more than once in a game since September 23 - but that will matter little to coach Diego Simeone.
In contrast to the goal-shy Rojiblancos, surprise packages Valencia continued their barnstorming start to the season with a confident 3-0 home victory over Leganes - taking their tally to a league-leading 30 goals in the process.
Dani Parejo, Rodrigo and Santi Mina were all on the score sheet as unbeaten Los Che extended their winning streak to eight matches in league and cup.
Captain Parejo opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a free-kick that went under the jumping defensive wall, and Rodrigo added a second in the 71st minute when he headed home Andreas Pereira's cross.
Mina finished things off with an 82nd-minute penalty for second-placed Valencia.
In a surprise result, Alaves made the most of Mario Hermoso's first-half dismissal to beat 10-man Espanyol 1-0 and climb off the bottom of the table.
Gianni De Biasi's men had lost nine of their 10 LaLiga matches coming into the game, while scoring just four goals, but they were able to celebrate a rare victory thanks to Christian Santos' strike after just 45 seconds.
Alaves' cause was further helped by sending off of Espanyol defender Hermoso, who having already been booked picked up a second yellow card in the 39th minute.
Paco Alcacer scored twice to give Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Sevilla.
