Valencia 1-3 Atlético Madrid

Fernando Torres celebrates his fifth goal of the season

Atletico Madrid kept their La Liga title hopes alive with victory over Gary Neville's Valencia.

Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres scored the pivotal goal on 72 minutes as Atletico moved within eight points of leaders Barcelona.

Antoine Griezmann put Atletico ahead and Denis Cheryshev equalised for Valencia before Torres struck.

Valencia had Anderlan Santos sent off on 80 minutes before Yannick Carrasco completed the scoring.

Neville suffered just a second defeat in seven games as goalkeeper Diego Alves endured a tough night.

Substitute Torres makes the difference

Atletico made the brighter start so it was no real surprise when they went ahead in the 24th minute.

They squandered possession 25 yards from goal and Griezmann let fly with a low shot that crept inside the near post with home goalkeeper Alves slow to react.

The lead lasted just four minutes, however, before Valencia scored as a long pass was cushioned by the head of Paco Alcacer to Cheryshev, who lashed home a left-footed drive from 15 yards.

Cheryshev lifted a shot over the crossbar from another Alcacer header seven minutes before half-time as Valencia grew in confidence.

Antoine Griezmann celebrates after opening the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions

Alcacer had a chance to put Valencia ahead just before the hour mark when he latched onto a pass by Sofiane Feghouli but fired straight at goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Moments later Alves made up for his earlier error with a fantastic, one-handed save to keep out a powerful effort by Luciano Vietto.

But the keeper could do nothing to stop substitute Torres, who was making his 300th Atletico appearance, putting his side ahead with 18 minutes remaining as he slid in at the far post to turn the ball home after Jose Maria Gimenez flicked on a corner.

Santos saw red for two bookable offences with five minutes remaining and Carrasco made it 3-1 five minutes later when he fired straight at Alves, who allowed the ball to creep in under his legs.

Earlier in the day, Barcelona kept up their run with a comfortable win at Eibar.