Falcao sinks Espanyol

A Radamel Falcao penalty helped 10-man Atletico Madrid preserve their 100 per cent home record in La Liga with a 1-0 victory over a resurgent Espanyol on Sunday.
The Colombia striker netted his 21st goal of the campaign in the 38th minute only to see his captain Gabi sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of halftime to leave Atletico with a man less for the entire second period.
Diego Simeone's side stood firm and moved on to 56 points from 25 games in second place, 12 behind leaders Barcelona, who came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 at home on Saturday.
Champions Real Madrid were third with 52 points after a 2-1 comeback win at basement side Deportivo Coruna, also on Saturday.
Simeone fielded a full strength side at the Calderon unlike other King's Cup semifinalists Barca and Real, who meet for their second leg on Tuesday and Atletico's opponents Sevilla, who they visit on Wednesday.
Atletico put the visitors under intense pressure, eventually winning a penalty when the outstanding Diego Costa was brought down in the area.
Falcao sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot and with a man less following Gabi's sending off the hosts outwitted Espanyol in the second half to make it 13 league wins from 13 at the Calderon this season.
Javier Aguirre's visitors, 13th with 31 points, slipped to only their second defeat in 12 outings since the Mexican took the helm from Mauricio Pochettino with the side bottom in late November.
RESULTS
Rayo Vallecano 1 (Amat 72) Valladolid 2 (Amat 71-og, Manucho 80)
Celta Vigo 2 (Aspas 24, Bermejo 81) Granada 1 (Odion Jude Ighalo 28)
Atletico Madrid 1 (Falcao 38-pen) Espanyol 0