MADRID: Atletico Madrid took another step towards the La Liga title after coming from behind to secure a 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday and move six points clear of Barcelona and eight ahead of Real Madrid.

In a match postponed from January because of a snowstorm in Madrid, in-form Bilbao went ahead in the 21st minute with a scuffed effort from Iker Muniain which flew into the net to deceive keeper Jan Oblak.

Atletico suffered a lot in the first half but pulle d level with a deflected header f rom Marcos Llorente which enraged the visitors as the goal came in the second minute of added time when only one minute was supposed to be played.

The hosts kicked on after the interval and top scorer Luis Suarez drew a foul from Unai Nunez to win a penalty and dusted himself down to confidently dispatch his spot-kick and claim an 18th league goal this season.

Suarez was then lef t frustrated as he was taken off in a series of defensive substitutions from coach Diego Simeone, who also removed record signing Joao Felix and winger Thomas Lemar in favour of midfielders Lucas Torreira and Saul Niguez before sending on Geof frey Kondogbia.

Bilbao defender Nunez could have snatched an equaliser in added time but headed straight into the arms of Oblak and Atletico saw out the victory to move on to 62 points from 26 games.

Simeone`s team, seeking their first league title since 2014, had been losing ground recently thanks in large part to their setbacks at home.

Atletico conceded in the 88th minute in a 1-1 draw against Realin Sunday`s derby at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. They were coming off a 2-0 loss to Levante and a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo in their previous games at home.-Agencies