Madrid, Jan 5 (IANS): Atletico Madrid went top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga following a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Malaga.

Jorge Resurrecion's goal 20 minutes from time following good work by Diego Costa made the difference between the two sides Saturday night and was also the first goal scored in the Liga in 2014, reports Xinhua.

The fact that FC Barcelona don't play their game at home to Elche until Sunday night means the win lifts Atletico three points clear at the top of the table, although goal difference means that a win for Barca will lift them back on top.

On the second anniversary of taking over at Atletico Madrid, Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised the effort of his entire squad saying the win had been "really hard work and very difficult."

"If it had not been for the substitutes who came into the game, maybe we would not have taken the points," said the coach, who added that he expected Barcelona to win their match against the Primera Liga strugglers.