Atletico Madrid took provisional top spot in LaLiga with a comfortable 3-0 away win at a toothless Valencia on Saturday thanks to a first-half double by Julian Alvarez and a late strike by substitute Angel Correa.

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Atletico Madrid downed struggling Valencia 3-0 to move, at least temporarily, top of LaLiga.

Alvarez has played a key role in Atletico's bid for a third title under Simeone, with Saturday's brace taking him to nine league goals despite a slow start to his debut season

Atlético de Madrid saw off Valencia with a 3-0 win at the Mestalla.  Scorers: Álvarez 12', 30', Correa 86'Julian Álvarez hit his 18th goal of the season after a Antoine Griezmann began a move

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone heaped praise on his star forward Julian Alvarez after he scored twice in their 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday. Simeone said he was delighted with Alvarez's maturity and humility as well as his determination to work hard and stay focused despite a slow start in his debut season in the Spanish capital.

Julián Alvarez opens the scoring for Atletico Madrid against Valencia in LaLiga.

Julian Alvarez bagged a brace to take Atletico Madrid provisionally top of La Liga with a 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday.Villarreal, fifth, kept the pressure on the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.