Atletico Madrid took the lead when Marcos Llorente turned in Angel Correa's pass on 15 minutes.

Valencia responded with Gabriel Paulista scoring from close range from Maxi Gomez's cross.

Thomas Partey then scored a spectacular second for the visitors with a shot from the edge of the area past Jaume Domenech.

Valencia kept going and got back into the game once more when Geoffrey Kondogbia scored from Dani Parejo's cross.

There was concern for Valencia at the end of the game with defender Paulista needing to be stretchered away with an ankle injury.

The two teams were meeting on a Friday because they are involved in the Champions League next week. Both sides were happy with the performance.

"We were better in the first half and they came back into it in the second half," Atletico midfielder Partey said.

"It was hard to keep up the pace we played at in the first half. But this result will be good for us."

Kondogbia added: "We could have won tonight. At least we showed we are a team. I think the draw was a fair result."

Atletico are now fourth and Valencia sixth. Sevilla lie in fifth place and face Espanyol on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

Third-placed Getafe meet Barcelona on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), when leaders Real Madrid play Celta Vigo.

Australian Associated Press