Third-placed Valencia took the lead through David Silva in the 21st minute in controversial circumstances, before another highly-contentious
incident nine minutes later saw Diego Forlan draw Atletico level from the penalty spot.Valencia lost captain Carlos Marchena to a red card in that incident, but they still managed to hold out against a rampant Atletico for 50 minutes, thanks largely to some brilliant goalkeeping from Cesar Sanchez.
However, Cesar was finally beaten by Sergio Aguero's 79th-minute header and soon after that Valencia suffered another huge blow when they had full-back Miguel sent off.
Atletico hammered home their two-man advantage in the closing stages with more goals from Forlan and Jose Manuel Jurado to inflict only a fourth defeat of the season on Valencia and climb back up to 11th in the table.
Both sides came into the match having progressed through to the last 16 of the Europa League in dramatic fashion on Thursday, Atletico scoring a last-minute goal to knock out Galatasaray and Valencia seeing off Club Brugge after extra time.
It was Atletico who started the better tonight, though, and Forlan twice went close in the opening quarter of an hour before the first big controversy of the match took place in the 20th minute.
Atletico winter Jose Antonio Reyes clearly looked to have been scythed down by Ever Banega inside the box, but referee Alfonso Perez Burrull waved play on.
The home side could not believe it, and their mood quickly deteriorated as Valencia immediately raced down the other end to take the lead.
A good through ball sent Silva clear, and although his first effort was saved by David De Gea, the Spain international re-collected possession, took his time and drilled home a low shot.
Despite that setback Atletico quickly regrouped and almost drew level in the 26th minute when the impressive Reyes hit the near post with a shot from a tight angle.
Four minutes after that came the game's big talking point.
Aguero looked set to bundle his way past Marchena in the area but his progress was stopped illegally as the Valencia defender, whilst lying on his back, stuck out his arm to block the ball.
However, Perez Burrull was not interested, but he soon found himself surrounded by furious Atletico players.
The referee then went to speak to the fourth official on the touchlines and, after a brief discussion, awarded Atletico the spot-kick and showed Marchena a red card.
This time it was Valencia's turn to protest, but it made no difference and Forlan stepped up to drive his penalty down the centre and draw Atletico level.
Atletico failed to make much headway with their numerical advantage before the break, but afterwards it was an almost unceasing onslaught on the Valencia goal.
During that phase, though, visiting goalkeeper Cesar was inspired.
He started off with a fairly routine save from Forlan, before then superbly tipping away Simao Sabrosa's free-kick, possibly with the aid of the post.
The veteran custodian would then go onto deny Aguero three more times and Reyes twice with top-drawer saves.
And when Cesar was beaten in the 68th minute, the off-balance Aguero was unable to keep his shot on target after rounding the former Real Madrid goalkeeper.
It was becoming increasingly frustrating for Atletico, but they finally got the breakthrough they thoroughly deserved in the 77th minute when the unmarked Aguero headed home Simao's free-kick.
There was little doubt who would go onto win the game after that, and matters became even clearer in the 82nd minute when Valencia were reduced to nine men when Miguel was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Juan Valera.
Forlan then made absolutely certain the points would be staying in Madrid four minutes later when he picked up Jurado's through ball and coolly dinked the ball over Cesar to make it 3-1.
Forlan then returned the favour in injury time, passing to Jurado who curled in Atletico's fourth.
LATE FLURRY DOWNS VALENCIA
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