Alvaro Morata poked fun at VAR after scoring his first goal for Atletico Madrid on Sunday as Barcelona’s closest challengers kept up the chase with a 2-0 win over Villarreal.

Since joining Atletico on loan from Chelsea last month, Morata has twice had goals ruled out by VAR so when this one finally stood at the Wanda Metropolitano, he celebrated by imitating a referee putting a finger to his ear.

Saul Niguez added a late second for Atletico, whose victory means they reduce the gap behind Barca to seven points at the top of La Liga. Real Madrid, now five behind their city rivals, play Levante later on Sunday.

They could have won by more, with substitute Costa missing a one on one and Jose Maria Gimenez having a header saved.