Atletico blow chance to go joint top at Spanish league as their six-game winning streak ends with 2-1 defeat at Las Palmas

LAS PALMAS, Spain: Atlético Madrid wasted their chance to go joint top of the Spanish league on Friday after a surprise 2-1 defeat at Las Palmas.

The capital side started the day in third place — three points behind Real Madrid and Girona but with a game in hand.

Having won their previous six league games, Atletico were a hot favorite to make it seven straight but second-half goals from Kirian Rodriguez and Benito Ramírez gave the home side a healthy lead.

Alvaro Morata pulled a goal back for the visitors with seven minutes remaining but it was not enough to salvage a point.

For Las Palmas the victory was their first win against Atletico this century. They had previously lost all of their last eight encounters between the sides.

The defeat was just the second all season for Diego Simeone’s side and they remains in third place.

“Our run is over, which is a shame,” Atlético keeper Jan Oblak said. “But now we need to lift our heads.”

Las Palmas moved up to ninth. It has now won four of its last five league games.