Goals from Alexander Sorloth, Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez powered Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 home win over city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, strengthening their grip on third place in LaLiga.

With their league title hopes all but over after a 1-0 loss at Las Palmas, Diego Simeone's side bounced back to move up to 66 points, six clear of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

"It was a pretty entertaining match with attacking play and dangerous chances for both teams, which I'm sure we could have handled better," coach Simeone told reporters.

"In the second half, the team played with more order. The play that led to the third goal was exquisite."