Diego Simeone's side came into the fixture on the back of six consecutive wins in the league and although Real started well, the visitors took the lead in the 11th minute through Diego Costa.
Real reacted at half-time by bringing Gareth Bale on for his home debut, but the world’s most expensive player could not make a difference as Atletico held on for three points to move level with Barcelona again as they continue to assert their early claim as genuine title contenders.
Real went into the match as favourites given their impressive record in the Madrid derby, but coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the visitors’ attacking threat by replacing Luka Modric with the more defensive-minded Asier Illarramendi.
A few moments before half-time, Diego Godin had a header stopped by Diego Lopez before Costa attempted to knock in the loose rebound, much to the goalkeeper's displeasure, as he exchanged words with the forward.
With 20 minutes to salvage a result, the quiet Cristiano Ronaldo had an effort from the left spilled by Thibaut Courtois and a few seconds later, Modric fired a volley just wide of the top corner.
Koke nearly rounded off a good display in the final 10 minutes as he curled a shot towards goal, but his effort flew back off the crossbar before Courtois palmed away a Bale scissor-kick at the other end to confirm victory.
