Athletic Bilbao 1-4 Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann is the first French player to score a hat-trick in La Liga since Thierry Henry against Valencia in 2008

Spanish champions Atletico Madrid ended a remarkable 2014 on a high as France forward Antoine Griezmann scored his first La Liga hat-trick in victory at Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico, who ended Barcelona and Real Madrid's duopoly to win last season's La Liga title for the first time since 1996, trailed to Mikel Rico's thumping header from a left-wing corner.

Atletico, last season's Champions League runners-up, showed little attacking threat in a first half in which Rico's goal was the only effort on target.

The Atletico fightback began just 29 seconds into the second half when Griezmann headed in Juanfran's cross.

They led when Raul Garcia coolly converted a controversial penalty, after former Chelsea midfielder Tiago tumbled despite there appearing to be little contact from Mikel San Jose.

Griezmann struck the third with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area, before tapping in while stood in an offside position.

Victory lifted Diego Simeone's side to within four points of leaders Real Madrid, who are one point ahead of Barcelona with a game in hand over both sides.

The Spanish top flight now enters its winter break, with clubs returning to action on 3 January.