Atletico Madrid took provisional top spot in LaLiga with a comfortable 3-0 away win at a toothless Valencia on Saturday thanks to a first-half brace by Julian Alvarez and a late strike by substitute Angel Correa.

Julian Alvarez scored twice as Atletico Madrid downed struggling Valencia 3-0 to move, at least temporarily, top of LaLiga.

Alvarez has played a key role in Atletico's bid for a third title under Simeone, with Saturday's brace taking him to nine league goals despite a slow start to his debut season

Valencia have come a long way in recent months and are tough opponents despite their lowly LaLiga position, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said on the eve of Saturday's match at the Mestalla Stadium.

Julián Alvarez opens the scoring for Atletico Madrid against Valencia in LaLiga.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone heaped praise on his star forward Julian Alvarez after he scored twice in their 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday. Simeone said he was delighted with Alvarez's maturity and humility as well as his determination to work hard and stay focused despite a slow start in his debut season in the Spanish capital.

Julian Alvarez bagged a brace to take Atletico Madrid provisionally top of La Liga with a 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday.Villarreal, fifth, kept the pressure on the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.