Real Madrid's defeat to leaders Barcelona opened the door for Atletico to close the gap, and Diego Simeone watched his players take the opportunity with a typically hard-earned victory.

Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Club Atletico de Madrid at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on November 22, 2015 © Getty Images

Atletico were in front within seven minutes at the Estadio Benito Villamarin thanks to Koke, who slotted home calmly after Antonio Adan could only parry a shot from Fernando Torres.

It was the worst possible start to the game for Betis, who struggled to break down the stubborn Atletico defence despite enjoying long spells on the ball.

The lead should have been doubled by the visitors midway through the first half when Torres flicked on a cross, but Antoine Griezmann could only send his volley over the crossbar.

Despite the two defences looking solid for much of the game, Atletico were left frustrated by their missed opportunities as Yannick Ferreira Carrasco shot wide after being played through by Koke.

Betis stepped up the tempo after the break to cause more problems for Atletico, and only Jan Oblak's fine tip over the crossbar prevented Cejudo from equalising with a long-range effort.

It was Atletico who looked the stronger of the two sides as the match progressed, though, with Griezmann wasting another good chance by firing over after beating the offside trap.

Griezmann was certain he should have been awarded a penalty moments later when Heiko Westermann appeared to catch the Frenchman with a desperate tackle, but the referee ignored the protests from the away side.

Betis committed more men forward late on as they searched for a leveller, but Atletico held firm and almost added a second on the break when Griezmann rattled the post, before the win which moves them to within four points of Barcelona was confirmed.