Alexander Sorloth scored twice as Alexander Sørloth scored twice as Atlético Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 4-2 victory over Espanyol.

Diego Simeone's side, who had taken just one point from their last three games, turned things around after going behind in only the sixth minute with Sørloth beginning and ending the scoring.

His second goal -- a towering 72nd-minute header -- looked like lifting Atlético back into third place above Villarreal on goal difference, only for them to concede 10 minutes from time to remain in fourth.

Atleti had not beaten their visitors since 2022 but Espanyol were low on confidence after seven matches without a win and were outclassed from almost the moment they went behind.

Sørloth's first got the hosts back on track after a mistake by Marcos Llorente had allowed Jofre Carreras to open the scoring.

Llorente atoned for his error by crossing deep into the six-yard area for Sørloth to side-foot home after Espanyol carelessly gave away possession on the edge of their own penalty area.

Antoine Griezmann, first with his head and then a left-footed shot, was twice denied by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic as the half finished level.

But within four minutes of the restart, Alex Baena's clever short pass through a crowded penalty area picked out Giuliano Simeone and he put his father's side ahead.

With almost an hour gone, Ademola Lookman dived in at the far post to head in the third after a corner was flicked on by Matteo Ruggeri.

Sørloth powered in Ruggeri's cross for his 12th of the campaign but Edu Expósito, beating Jan Oblak inside his near post from the edge of the area, denied them a move up the table.