Fernando Torres scored in consecutive matches for the first time in almost two-and-a-half years as Atletico Madrid edged past Getafe 1-0 to leapfrog Real Madrid into second place in La Liga.

Torres has struggled to reproduce his best form since returning to his first club 13 months ago, but on Sunday evening he gave Atleti fans a reminder of the good old days with an instinctive finish at the back post.

With less than two minutes gone, the 31-year-old sprinted free from his marker at the back post and tapped the ball into the home net from Yannick Carrasco’s cross despite pressure from Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

Sevilla boosted their chances of European qualification as they stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Unai Emery’s team endured a frustrating opening hour against Las Palmas, but they eventually turned on the style and ran out winners thanks to goals from Kevin Gameiro and Ever Banega.

Real Sociedad made it eight goals in their last two matches as a 3-0 win at home to Granada moved them into the top 10 in the Primera Division.

Teenage midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal bagged a brace, with Cristian Jonathas also on the scoresheet in a comfortable victory against a Granada side who stay second from bottom.

Eibar boosted their hopes of finishing in the European places after beating struggling Levante 2-0. Borja Baston continued his rich goalscoring form by putting the hosts ahead after 37 minutes, and an own goal by Tono Garcia after the break sealed the win for the Basques.