Sorloth winner maintains Atletico's unbeaten run
Alexander Sorloth emerged from the bench to net the winning goal in Atletico Madrid's 1-0 win over Getafe, its 11th consecutive victory in all competitions.
Diego Simeone's side leapfrogged rival Real Madrid, which drew at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday (AEDT) to move into second spot on the table in the process.
Atletico dominated the opening period, registering eight shots, but Julian Alvarez's 41st minute strike was the only effort on David Soria's goal.
The hosts continued to push for the opener as Pablo Barrios went close, but Simeone's half-time change proved to be the difference at Metropolitano.
Sorloth replaced Samuel Lino at the break, and popped up with the winner in the 69th minute, combining well with fellow substitute Nahuel Molina.
Molina picked up the ball on the right-hand side before swinging an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Sorloth, with his effort bouncing beyond the grasp of Soria.
Atletico has made a habit of winning by one goal, with this win its fourth 1-0 victory in LaLiga this season, a division-high alongside Garcia Pimienta's Sevilla.
It could have been more at the end when Angle Correa broke free from halfway, winning a foot race to the ball, but he was pushed wide and couldn't add gloss to the scoreline.
Simeone insisted he and his players are not getting carried away, despite their recent good form, and face a key clash with Barcelona next weekend, with top spot in LaLiga potentially on the line.
"We have to take it one game at a time, there is no way to see our present without working and trying to keep improving. We have to rest before facing Barcelona next," he said.
"I'm reiterative, I'm boring, I'm not going to change. Until the last day, it will be one game at a time. If we don't look at it that way, there will be no light.
Simeone was pleased to see his players making a positive impact from the bench.
"I always tell them that I imagine the matches with different situations, imagining what can happen and having answers," he added. "We have answers, but it all depends on the commitment of the players.
"It's easy to say, but it's very difficult how the players represent it when they go on the pitch. It makes me very happy to see the attitude I saw today."
