Espanyol silenced the Metropolitano just under five minutes in, when the rapid Tyrhys Dolan drove forward and put in a near-post cross that Jofre Carreras purposefully fired in.
An Atletico response was always inevitable though, with Antoine Griezmann and Matteo Ruggeri going close, even if the hosts’ general interplay wasn’t initially as sharp or as decisive as it needed to be.
With 20 minutes gone, however, some excellent work by Marcos Llorente enabled him to pick out Alexander Sorloth to volley the ball home by going back across the keeper with his attempt.
That leveller was a clear demonstration of the urgency that had been missing from the hosts early on, and it was virtually all Atletico from that point onward.
Dangerous as ever in the famous red and white stripes, Griezmann soon received the ball in his stride, and whilst his aim was true, he was just a whisker away from giving his side the lead near the half-hour mark. By contrast, the Catalans found it difficult to regain any sort of control, and it was always going to require some incredible fortitude and luck for Espanyol to hold out for a point.
But any plans for such a stand were scuppered within four minutes of the restart.
Alex Baena was the chief architect of Atletico’s go-ahead goal, as he picked out Giuliano Simeone’s late run into the box, allowing him to drill in his first home league strike in 10 months.
There was no let up in the pressure, and Ademola Lookman was almost on the goalline when his full-length diving header made it three for the hosts just prior to the hour mark.
It would be the striker’s final contribution, as he was immediately replaced by Julian Alvarez – a scorer in the season-opening reverse fixture.
Unlike that sultry August afternoon though, Espanyol were made to continue chasing shadows, with Atleti in total control. Sorloth’s shot cannoned back off the inside of the post, before Espanyol saw Cyril Ngonge’s exquisite side-foot volley hit the crossbar with their first real chance of the second half.
Sorloth wouldn’t be denied though, and a towering header with 20 minutes left put the result to bed.
How Thiago Almada didn’t then score from Sorloth’s pass is anyone’s guess, and despite Edu Exposito’s late consolation for the visitors 10 minutes from time, Atlético undoubtedly delivered the perfect response to Betis’ earlier draw with Rayo Vallecano.
They’re now level on points with Villarreal, while Espanyol – barring the mother of all recoveries from this slaughter – won’t be anywhere near the top four come May. They remain sixth, and a whole seven points off Betis.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid)