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Diego Costa strike enough for Atletico Madrid to win derby

Diego Costa's early goal proves enough for Atletico Madrid to beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.

Atletico Madrid have defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to maintain their perfect record in La Liga.

The only goal in the Madrid derby came after just 11 minutes when Diego Costa collected Koke's pass and slotted it past Diego Lopez from inside the hosts' penalty box.

Real recovered from their shock to create their first meaningful chance in the 25th minute when Karim Benzema forced Thibaut Courtois into a save with a close-range header.

Benzema wasted another good chance on the half-hour mark when he headed Angel di Maria's cross wide, before Tiago failed to keep his header on target for Atletico.

Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Koke of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

Costa was denied by Lopez on the stroke of half time, just moments before Cristiano Ronaldo planted his header over the crossbar after meeting Di Maria's cross.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti sent on Gareth Bale and Luka Modric at the start of the second half, but it was the visitors to whom the first chance after the restart fell.

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF sits on the bench as he speaks with team-mate Luka Modric prior to start the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

Once again it was Costa who found himself in a good position after being released by David Villa, but Lopez made yet another good save.

Bale earned Los Blancos a free kick just moments later, but Ronaldo blasted it high and wide.

The home side were given another lifeline to earn a point from the contest when Koke's curling effort eight minutes from time came back off the crossbar.

However, despite Real's pressure in the final minutes that included an Alvaro Morata volley being denied by Courtois, Atletico held on for all three points.

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Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Almeria on September 14, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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