Soccer-Saul strike earns Atletico scrappy win at Betis

SEVILLE, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid won 1-0 at Real Betis on Sunday thanks to a scrappy goal by Saul Niguez to rack up a third straight victory in La Liga and provisionally move three points behind leaders Barcelona.

The Spanish midfielder slid in at the back post to meet a low cross from Sime Vrsaljko to score the only goal of the game in the 30th minute, netting for the second game in a row.

Atletico were without talismanic forward Antoine Griezmann and only had two shots on target and 26 percent possession.

Diego Simeone's side survived a huge penalty appeal for a shove by Angel Correa on forward Cristian Tello shortly before Saul's goal while Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak pulled off an impressive save from former Barca forward Tello in the home side's best attempt of the second half.

Atletico are third in the standings on 33 points, one behind Valencia and three behind Barcelona, who can restore their five-point lead at the top when they visit Villarreal later on Sunday. (Reporting by Richard Martin)