Atlético Madrid 3-0 Las Palmas: Player ratings

Jan Oblak, GK: 6.5

Celebrated his 100th game in LaLiga with — you guessed it — a clean sheet. This one came pretty easy.

Juanfran, RB: 8

Probably the veteran full back’s best game of the season so far. Alert and effective in defense, efficient and lively in attack. Set up Antoine Griezmann’s opener with a vintage, inch-perfect through ball that the Frenchman lifted into the goal with his left foot.

José Giménez, CB: 7.5

Showing how solid he can be when given a run in the team. More assured, more composed, more disciplined (0 fouls). The 23-year-old is developing into the elite center back he’s been tipped to become.

Diego Godín, CB: 7

Reliable as ever. Godín isn’t quite the force of a couple years ago — which is why it’s important to place him next to someone super-athletic like Giménez — but he won his battle with Las Palmas’ physical Jonathan Calleri.

Lucas Hernández, LB: 7.5

Pushed up more than in recent outings, but really starred defensively. Made crucial interceptions and tackled with authority. Still, Atlético Madrid really miss Filipe Luis’ playmaking from this position.

Ángel Correa, RM: 6.5

Worked hard and sacrificed for the team. Credited with the assist on Fernando Torres’ goal, a nice way to cap a solid but unremarkable day.

Gabi, CM: 7

The captain would have scored a rare goal if not for a good stop by Leandro Chichizola in the first half. Otherwise, dutifully held the midfield together until Atlético got going in the second half. Even as he’s entering the twilight of his career, it’s hard to keep the 34-year-old out of the team.

Saúl Ñíguez, CM: 8

Saúl was brilliant when permitted a freer role following Koke’s substitution. But as his seven successful tackles in the second half (12 on the afternoon) showed, the 23-year-old is the complete package.

Koke, LM: 4.5

Really struggling for form at the moment following a resurgence upon his return from a muscular injury. The game seems to be passing Koke by right now, and he was lifted at halftime so that Simeone could inject more energy into the team (something Koke has rarely lacked). Could probably do with a rest soon.

Antoine Griezmann, FW: 8.5 (Mattress Maker of the Match)

Griezmann was aggressive, opportunistic and above all comfortable on an afternoon which saw #7 register a season-high seven shots and notch his seventh league goal on 61 minutes. Playing just off the front man Torres, Griezmann was free to balance bursting runs with more disciplined passing spells. He also hit the post twice. This is the line for him to follow when Diego Costa makes his expected return next week.

Fernando Torres, FW: 7.5

Does it matter that both of Torres’ league goals this season have come against teams battling the drop? Depends on who you ask. On one hand, his performances against Spain’s best this year have been...well, pretty bad. But on Sunday, he drew fouls, held up play well and scored on a vicious right-footed finish into the top of the net.

Subs

Yannick Carrasco, LM: 7.5

Carrasco’s most influential performance in quite a while. He provided a much-needed spark after a desultory first half, and his pace effectively opened up both flanks for business. Got a rare assist by teeing up Thomas in the 88th minute.

Vitolo, RM: 7

Grabbed a hockey assist on Thomas’ goal. Surely we’ll be seeing much more of Vitolo in the coming weeks — he looked up for this one against his old team.

Thomas Partey, CM: 7

Only 10 minutes for Thomas, but he still managed to grab his fourth league goal (second against Las Palmas this season) on the counterattack.