Atletico Madrid bounced back from last week's derby defeat to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-1 in La Liga.
The hosts were hammered 4-1 by league leaders and city rivals Real last time out, but took their frustrations out on Rayo today thanks to goals from Gabi, Radamel Falcao and Eduardo Salvio.
Gabi also scored at the other end of the pitch to put Rayo on the scoresheet, but the own goal came too late to make an impact.
Atletico's record signing Falcao had missed the last two league games due to an injury picked up on international duty, and with the Colombian back to lead the line, they looked a much more potent force in attack.
The former Porto striker forced David Cobeno into the first testing save of the day after 22 minutes as he controlled Jose Antonio Reyes' cross but directed his volley too close to the Rayo goalkeeper, who was able to parry.
Cobeno was helpless three minutes later though, as another neat piece of play by Falcao set Gabi through on goal and he delicately chipped the ball over the keeper and Tito covering on the line to score his first goal since re-joining the club.
Despite that setback, Rayo looked the most likely side to score for the remainder of the half.
Michu saw his left-footed effort fly inches past the post before Raul Tamudo missed a glorious chance as he headed wide when unmarked in the penalty area. The second half was not as open with Atleti seemingly happy to sit on their lead, but a flurry of goals arrived in the final 15 minutes.
Falcao effectively ended the game as a contest when he headed home at the near post after wonderful trickery by Diego had freed the Brazilian to lay the ball across.
Atleti then bagged a third in stoppage time as substitute Salvio tapped in from another great cross, this time by Gabi.
A 3-0 scoreline would have been harsh on Rayo and they got the goal their efforts deserved soon after, as Piti turned Felipe Luis and fired a shot across goal which the unfortunate Gabi could only direct into his own net.
