Joan Verdu scored twice in the opening seven minutes to set Espanyol on their way to a convincing 4-2 Liga win over Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Cornella-El Prat.

Barely 24 hours after the extraordinary start in El Clasico, Espanyol served up a staggering start of their own.

Verdu was the star of the show and opened the scoring with a ferocious drive five minutes in, before adding an identical second two minutes later.

Romaric added a third in the 19th minute before Falcao pulled one back before half time.

Sergio Garcia bundled his way through Atletico's creaking defence for Espanyol's fourth, before Arda Turan's volley restored some pride late on.

Verdu was the star of the show and opened the scoring with a ferocious drive five minutes in, before adding an identical second two minutes later.

Romaric added a third in the 19th minute before Falcao pulled one back before half time.

Sergio Garcia bundled his way through Atletico's creaking defence for Espanyol's fourth, before Arda Turan's volley restored some pride late on.

The result will further pile the pressure on Atletico coach Gregorio Manzano, who has been unable to prevent the club sliding to 10th in La Liga.

Michael Da Silva (on Twitter - @mjdasilva) / Eurosport