Atletico go top as Ronaldo sees red

Atletico Madrid score four goals to go top as Real Madrid are held to a draw by Athletic Bilbao in Spain’s La liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo walks off as teammates argue with Athletic players following the forward's red card [AFP]

Atletico Madrid took advantage of Barcelona’s slip to go three points clear at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad.

Atletico moved three points clear of Barcelona with their victory over Sociedad at the Calderon.

In a fitting way for the club to pay tribute to club legend Luis Aragones, who passed away a day earlier, David Villa opened the scoring late in the first half and then dedicated his goal to the late coach, with whom he won Euro 2008 with Spain.

Diego Costa settled Atletico’s nerves by scoring the second goal with 18 minutes remaining, and then Joao Miranda and substitute Diego Ribas each scored later on to round off an emotional night.

Ronaldo red

Real were looking to move up to second with their sixth successive league win and Jese put them ahead after 65 minutes before substitute Ibai Gomez responded for the Basque side.

Ronaldo was dismissed with 15 minutes left in a hardfought clash with Bilbao for pushing Carlos Gurpegui in the face and getting involved in a confrontation with Ander Iturraspe.

Real remain third in the league with 54 points, behind Barca on goal difference.

Source: Reuters