MADRID (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid temporarily went top of La Liga for the first time this season after beating Real Betis 1-0 in a tight game on Sunday, with a second-half strike from Argentine forward Angel Correa, as coach Diego Simeone's substitutions paid off.
Atletico saw little of the ball against Betis but managed to keep the visitors at bay with shrewd defensive work and had far more chances, including one for Croatian forward Nikola Kalinic who hit the woodwork, although they still struggled to find a way through until Simeone shuffled his pack.
Kalinic, who had come in for the injured Diego Costa, made way for Thomas Partey while Correa was brought on in place of record signing Thomas Lemar and it was the Argentine who won the ball and played a one-two off Partey before arrowing into the far bottom corner in the 74th minute.
Atletico lead the standings on 15 points after eight games although champions Barcelona could overtake them if they win at Valencia later or Sunday, while Sevilla will also leapfrog Simeone's side if they beat Celta Vigo.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; editing by Clare Fallon)