Atletico Madrid took provisional top spot in LaLiga with a comfortable 3-0 away win at a toothless Valencia on Saturday thanks to a first-half double by Julian Alvarez and a late strike by substitute Angel Correa.

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Atletico Madrid downed struggling Valencia 3-0 to move, at least temporarily, top of LaLiga.

Julian Alvarez bagged a brace to take Atletico Madrid provisionally top of La Liga with a 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday. Villarreal, fifth, kept the pressure on the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.

Valencia have come a long way in recent months and are tough opponents despite their lowly LaLiga position, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said on the eve of Saturday's match at the Mestalla Stadium.

Atlético de Madrid saw off Valencia with a 3-0 win at the Mestalla.  Scorers: Álvarez 12', 30', Correa 86'Julian Álvarez hit his 18th goal of the season after a Antoine Griezmann began a move

Julián Alvarez opens the scoring for Atletico Madrid against Valencia in LaLiga.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone heaped praise on his star forward Julian Alvarez after he scored twice in their 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday.