Atletico Madrid moved six points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis after a pulsating 4-2 victory over RCD Espanyol at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano — ending a four-game winless run in LaLiga and securing a first triumph against the Catalans in five meetings.

Espanyol stunned the home crowd inside five minutes. Tyrhys Dolan surged forward with intent before whipping a teasing near-post cross into the box, where Jofre Carreras arrived to emphatically fire beyond the goalkeeper.

An Atletico response always felt inevitable. Antoine Griezmann and Matteo Ruggeri both threatened as Diego Simeone’s side sought to inject tempo into their play, though their early build-up lacked the usual sharpness. The equaliser arrived midway through the first half, sparked by tireless work from Marcos Llorente. His delivery found Alexander Sorloth, who expertly volleyed back across goal to level the contest.

The goal shifted momentum decisively. Atletico began to dictate proceedings, with Griezmann coming within inches of putting the hosts ahead after a clever run and precise strike that flashed just wide. Espanyol, meanwhile, struggled to regain a foothold and were increasingly pinned back.

Their resistance was broken shortly after the restart. Alex Baena orchestrated the move, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Giuliano Simeone, whose late burst into the area culminated in a clinical finish — his first home league goal in 10 months.

There was no respite for the visitors. Just before the hour mark, Ademola Lookman added a third, diving full length at the back post to head home from close range and continue his rich vein of form. The Nigerian forward was immediately replaced by Julián Álvarez, with Atletico firmly in control.

Sorloth nearly extended the lead further when his effort struck the inside of the post, while Espanyol briefly threatened through Cyril Ngonge, whose superb side-footed volley rattled the crossbar. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished with 20 minutes remaining, as Sorloth powered in a towering header to make it four.

Thiago Almada somehow failed to convert from Sorloth’s unselfish pass soon after, though the miss proved inconsequential. Edu Expósito grabbed a late consolation for Espanyol, but it did little to dampen the home celebrations.

The result sees Atletico draw level on points with Villarreal and strengthens their grip on a top-four place. Espanyol remain sixth, now seven points adrift of Betis, with their Champions League aspirations hanging by a thread.