Falcao keeps Atletico on terms with Barca

With the rain lashing down in San Sebastian, Colombia striker Falcao had an unusually quiet night until he curled the ball over the wall and into the net for a 90th-minute winner, his ninth goal of the campaign.

Atletico, resurgent under Argentine coach Diego Simeone, have not won seven La Liga games in a row since the 1991/92 season. The victory put them level on 22 points with Barca after eight matches but behind on goal difference.

A jubilant Simeone, a fan favourite at the Calderon when he helped Atletico win the league and cup double as a player in 1996, described Falcao’s goal as “delicious”.

“Falcao is training a lot to improve his free kicks and today you saw the result of that effort,” he told a news conference.

Jose Mourinho’s side climbed to fourth on 14 points after Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a drab 2-0 win at home toCelta Vigoon Saturday.

In Sunday’s other games,Real Betisplayed out an uninspiring 0-0 draw at bottom sideOsasunaand dropped below Real to fifth on 13 points.

Michel’s spectacular long-distance effort three minutes from time secured a 1-0 success forLevanteatGetafewhich lifted the Valencia-based side to sixth.

Espanyolsecured their first win of the campaign and climbed off the bottom when Christian Stuani’s towering header in the third minute of added time secured a 3-2 win at home toRayo Vallecano.