Thomas Partey instrumental as Atletico win at Malaga to go third in Spain

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Thomas Partey

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was instrumental as Atletico Madrid earned a hard-fought 2-0 win over Malaga to jump above Sevilla in La Liga.

The Ghanaian played for 53 minutes before he was substituted in the game which was played away from their home.

Koke fired in an early drive which Carlos Kameni fielded well down low to his right, but from then it was the hosts pushing for the opener.

Keko went down in the area under pressure from Stevan Savic but referee Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez ignored his appeals—much to Malaga’s fury.

More so moments later when Atletico charged down the other end of the pitch, Fernando Torres bowling over two defenders as he held the ball up just inside the area, before Koke stole in to slot the ball past Kameni.

At the other end Malaga eked out a chance moments before half-time but Keko’s backheel on the turn was well kept out by Jan Oblak, denying him what would have been a brilliant goal.

Atletico dug their heels in during the second half and defended staunchly, not intent on adding to their own lead, just keeping Malaga at bay.

It was a return to their roots, the style that saw them do so well in 2014 and 2015, perhaps preparation for the Champions League clashes with Leicester.

Eventually the second came when Filipe Luis slipped in down the left and he eased a neat dinked finish over the sprawling Kameni in the 74th minute.

Atletico moved into third place for the time being, with 58 points from 29 games, with Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla, a point behind, facing Sporting Gijon on Sunday.