<p>MADRID — Luis Suárez scored early in the second half and Jan Oblak saved a late penalty as leader Atlético Madrid avoided another setback in the Spanish league on Sunday by beating Alavés 1-0.</p>
<p>The win, only its third in the last seven league games, left Atlético six points in front of Real Madrid and seven ahead of Barcelona, which visits fifth-place Real Sociedad later Sunday. Madrid won 3-1 at Celta Vigo on Saturday.</p>
<p>Suárez, who had scored only twice in the last nine matches in all competitions, put Atlético ahead with a diving header in the 54th minute after a cross by Kieran Trippier.</p>
<p>Oblak preserved the victory by diving to his right to make a superb one-hand save in an 86th-minute penalty taken by Joselu.</p>
<p>Diego Simeone’s team held a comfortable Spanish league lead until recently but had been gradually losing ground as Barcelona and Madrid charged to the top.</p>
<p>Atlético was coming off elimination against Chelsea in the round of 16 of the Champions League and had been held 0-0 at Getafe in its previous Spanish league match.</p>
<p>Aláves has lost five of its last six league games. It sits second-to-last in the 20-team standings with 23 points, two from safety.</p>
<p>Atlético next visits fourth-place Sevilla and Barcelona hosts relegation-threatened Valladolid. </p>
<p>OTHER RESULTS</p>
<p>Seventh-place Villarreal beat Cádiz 2-1 with goals by Gerard Moreno and Carlos Bacca.</p>
<p>Valencia beat Granada 2-1, thanks to goals from Daniel Wass and Álex Blanco. </p>
<p>Getafe, winless in three league matches, was held 1-1 by relegation-threatened Elche.</p>
<hr />
<p>More AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>
<hr />
<p>Tales Azzoni on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/tazzoni">http://twitter.com/tazzoni</a></p>
