Atletico Madrid jumped back from the dissatisfaction of being discarded out of the rivals association in midweek to keep their La Liga heading contest afloat by grinding out a 1-0 triumph at actual Betis on Sunday. 

In the lack of top player Antoine Griezmann through injury, Saul Niguez once again given a huge content for Atletico that takes Diego Simeone's forces to within three components of association leaders Barcelona. 

The Catalans can though re-establish a six-point gap over Atletico in third with victory at Villarreal later on Sunday. 

Betis have now triumphed just once in the association since September as their slide continues, moving trainer Quique Setien under serious pressure. 

However, the adults dominated control throughout and were made to pay for their need of separating boundary, as well as some satisfactory goalkeeping by Jan Oblak. 

Atletico went in front with their first serious assault on the half-hour evaluation as Saul glided in to meet Sime Vrsaljko's pass. 

Of the midfielder's last 18 contents, 15 have now ended the situation, but unlike at Chelsea in midweek, Saul's effort were to be the only content. 

Indeed, the outsiders should have had an ordinal times after going ahead when Angel Correa blasted continuous at Antonio Adan with Kevin Gameiro good moved. 

Betis constituted more of a content risk after the end as Sergio Leon cut a hazardous ball across the face of the content with no customers. 

Oblak then made an astonishment rescue to turn Cristian Tello's sweetly struck half-volley behind for an area. 

Atletico equivalent Fernando Torres should have closed all three components when he somehow blasted over from point-blank extent with just Adan to beat eight minutes from moment. 

However, the visitors showed why they have now gone a year without defeat away in La Liga as Atletico stood strong when faced with a barrage of Betis crosses into their box in stoppage time to record a ninth clean sheet in 15 La Liga games.