Antoine Griezmann found the net but Atletico Madrid failed to put pressure on leaders Barcelona as they were held at home by Girona.

The France forward has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, who on Saturday released a statement denying they had reached an agreement to sign the 26-year-old this summer.

He put that speculation to one side to fire Atletico ahead at the Wanda Metropolitano but Portu levelled with 17 minutes left to earn a 1-1 draw.

Thomas Partey’s chipped pass was bravely headed down by Diego Costa to Griezmann, who had an empty net to slot Atletico into a 34th-minute lead, but after the hosts failed to clear a free-kick despite multiple attempts, Portu popped up equalise from close range.

Atletico sit eight points behind Barca, who have played a game less.

Earlier, Sevilla ended their five-match winless league run with a 3-0 victory at Espanyol.

Franco Vazquez gave the visitors a 15th-minute lead when he tucked home the rebound after Joaquin Correa’s effort was saved and Pablo Sarabia burst into the area and fired home a second 11 minutes before the break.

Luis Muriel wrapped up victory in the last minute of normal time when he ended a fine individual run down the left with a low effort into the near corner.

The victory was Sevilla’s first in the league since December 2 and moved them level on points with fourth-placed Real Madrid.

Villarreal beat Levante 2-1 to move up into fourth place ahead of Real Madrid, who host Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

The home side went ahead after 26 minutes when Manuel Trigueros converted a penalty after Alvaro Gonzalez had been brought down by goalkeeper Oier.

Denis Cheryshev set up Enes Unal for a second after 50 minutes.

In added time, Roger netted a consolation for the visitors from the penalty spot.

The defeat leaves Levante two points clear of the bottom three.