La Liga round-up: Atletico top after Barcelona drop points at Espanol

Atletico Madrid moved two points clear at the top of the La Liga after a late 1-0 win over bottom club Levante and Barcelona's goalless draw at Espanyol on Saturday.

A scrappy effort with nine minutes remaining from substitute Thomas Partey proved enough to give Diego Simeone's side victory at the Vicente Calderon.

Earlier, Barcelona returned from the short trip to the Power 8 stadium frustrated as they were unable to get the better of their city rivals.

Manager Luis Enrique opted to name an identical side to the one which beat River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

However, the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough as both Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez saw efforts come back off the woodwork.

Espanyol created few openings, but worked hard to earn themselves a share of the points as Barcelona drew for only the third time in the league this season.

The two teams will not need to wait long to renew rivalries, with the first leg of a Copa del Rey last-16 tie set for the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Saturday's late match in the Primera Division saw Malaga beat Celta Vigo 2-0 with first-half goals from Brazilian forward Charles and defender Raul Albentosa.

Celta Vigo, who could have gone fourth with a win, finished the game with 10 men following the sending off of goalkeeper Ruben Blanco for a foul on Nordin Amrabat.

Substitute Sergio Alvarez, though, saved Amrabat's penalty.

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