I don't get tired of praising these players - Simeone revels in Atletico Madrid's rampant form

Diego Simeone lauded Atletico Madrid's rampant first-half display as his side thumped 10-man Las Palmas 5-0 on Saturday.

Atleti - who face city rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday - netted three goals in the opening 20 minutes at Estadio de Gran Canaria, the first time they have achieved that feat in a LaLiga fixture since 1957.

Kevin Gameiro got Atleti off to the ideal start within two minutes, before netting his second shortly after Saul Niguez had doubled the visitors' tally.

Substitutes Thomas Partey and Fernando Torres got in on the act late on, and Simeone was thrilled by his side's performance as they moved three points clear of fourth-placed Sevilla.

"I'm enjoying the important game that the team played. We interpreted very well how we had to play today. We found what we were looking for," Simeone said.

"Today we started very strong. I don't get tired of praising these players. Four days ago we lost a match and today they took the field and solved the match in 18 minutes.

"That speaks volumes about the team and speaks highly of the whole club."