Saul strike earns Atletico hard-fought 2-1 win at Villarreal

Substitute Saul Niguez scored a late winner to give Atletico Madrid a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Villarreal on Monday, as Diego Simeone's side climbed back into LaLiga's top four.

Atletico defender Axel Witsel headed in from a corner to give the visitors the lead in the ninth minute but Alexander Sorloth equalised five minutes after the break.

However, a resilient Atletico found the winner in the 87th minute when Cesar Azpilicueta fed Saul who calmly sidefooted the ball home left-footed from the edge of the area.

Atletico are fourth in the standings on 58 points, two ahead of Athletic Bilbao and seven behind third-placed Girona.