Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images

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Atlético Madrid consolidated fourth spot in LaLiga and moved level on points with third-placed Villarreal after a 1-0 win over Alavés.

Diego Simeone's side sealed all three points thanks to Alexander Sørloth, who rose unchallenged three minutes after halftime to head home from Pablo Barrios' cross from the right at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The hosts might have given themselves some breathing room in the 70th minute, but while Álex Baena curled a shot beyond Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera, the ball came back off the post.

Alavés had several opportunities to equalise late on with Abde Rebbach's shot blocked by Nahuel Molina, while both Jon Pacheco and Lucas Boyé were unable to direct close range headers on target.

Had they found a leveller, Alavés would have moved back out of the relegation zone on goal difference, having dropped into the bottom three following Valencia's win at Getafe earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Thanks to Sørloth scoring for a third time in his last three starts, Atlético have given themselves a healthy cushion in the final Champions League spot, moving seven points clear of Espanyol in fifth.

They are level on points and goal difference with Villarreal -- but are separated by two more goals scored.