Antoine Griezmann came to Atletico Madrid's rescue against Rayo Vallecano as he scored the only goal of the game to earn his side a narrow win.
Griezmann struck in the final 20 minutes as Diego Simeone's side ended a run of two conseuctive defeats in La Liga.
Atletico temporarily return to second place in the table, four points back from Barcelona, who host Real Valladolid later on Saturday.
Adrian Embarba came close for Rayo early on before Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak kept out on loan Real Madrid striker Raul de Tomas early in the second period.
There was a return to action for Diego Costa off the bench but it was his strike partners, Griezmann and Alvaro Morata, who combined for what proved the winning goal.
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January signing Morata set up the Frenchman inside the box and his deflected volley found the back of the net.