CADIZ, Spain (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez fired in two goals as they thrashed Cadiz 4-2 away in an action-packed game on Sunday to march 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.
Suarez gave Atleti the lead in the 28th minute with a curling free kick which was cancelled out by Cadiz forward Alvaro Negredo seven minutes later before Saul Niguez restored the visitors' advantage moments before the break.
Cadiz had a strong penalty claim turned down on the stroke of halftime when Atletico's Koke blocked the ball with his hand while on the ground but Atleti got a spot kick just after the break which Suarez converted for his 14th goal of the season.
The Uruguayan has scored five times in his last three games and has an average of a goal for every league start he has made.
Negredo reduced the deficit with a scrappy strike in the 71st and Atleti were pegged back in their area for a long spell while their loanee Ivan Saponjic could have levelled moments later but saw his header tipped away by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Atletico captain Koke then struck his first goal of the season in the 88th minute to complete the win and secure an eighth consecutive league victory for Diego Simeone's side.
The visitors had were without key players Yannick Carrasco and Mario Hermoso after they tested positive for COVID-19.
HALFWAY STAGE
Atletico have an impressive 50 points at the halfway stage of the season, clear of nearest challengers Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 at home to Levante on Saturday, with a game in hand.
If they can replicate their form in the second half of the season, Atleti will become the first Spanish side to end a campaign with 100 points since Barcelona in 2013.
"We have a significant number of points which have taken us to the top and today we were missing vital players but those who came in did superbly," said Suarez.
"Our numbers show we are working well and have the mentality to achieve great things and we need to stay on this path."
Cadiz, who managed to beat Real and Barca this season, slipped to 13th place.
It was another spirited performance from Alvaro Cervera's side but they failed to take their chances.
Atletico, however, were utterly ruthless, scoring with all four of their attempts on target.
Even as Simeone's side look more and more likely to win a first title in seven years, he declined to discuss the title race.
"To keep going at this right we have to keep clinging to the idea of only focusing on the next game and to continue generating a fierce competitive spirit amongst ourselves," the Argentine coach said.