Atletico Madrid are out-rightly top of the La Ligas standing for the first time since their double-winning 1995-96 season after a 4-0 demolition of Real Sociedad.
The match started with a tribute to former player and coach Luis Aragones, who died on Saturday.
Fans remained silent for the first eight minutes before beginning to chant Aragones’ name in a tribute to the number he wore as a player with the club.
“When someone like Luis leaves us there is pain and sadness, but today the fans, the game and the silence for the first eight minutes before they sang his name moved me,” said manager Diego Simeone. “From above he would be wearing red and white and happy with the barvery we showed.”
The host took the lead through David Villa, who finished off a fine team move for his 12th goal of the season-sweeping in Diego Costa’s low cross-, in the 38th minute.
Striker Costa doubled the Rojiblancos’ lead in the 72nd minute, keeping his composure to slot in home Raul Garcia’s through ball.
Two minutes later, Miranda rose highest to power home Koke’s corner and Diego completed scoring when he ran inside Sociedad’s box before blasting hihj into the roof of the net.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off as Real madrid lost ground in the Spanish La Liga title chase with a 1-1 draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
The draw moves Real level with Barcelona, who suffered a shock defeat at home to Valencia on Saturday, three points behind Atletico.
Jesse Rodriguez opened scoring for the Los Blancos, who looked well on course for their 11th consecutive victory, prodding home a Ronaldo cross in the 25th minute.
However, after Ibai Gomez produced a spectacular equaliser, Ronaldo was shown a red card for lashing at Carlos Gurpegi.
