Atletico Madrid welcomed Elche to the Spanish capital on Friday looking to move six points clear at the top of La Liga.
Elche had the better of the chances in an open first period, but the score remained goalless at the interval.
David Villa missed a penalty for Atletico in the early stages of the second half, but the capital outfit moved ahead after 72 minutes when Miranda headed a Jose Sosa corner into the top corner.
The points were secure in second-half stoppage time when Diego Costa scored from the penalty spot after Cristian Sapunaru, who was dismissed, had felled the Spanish international inside the area.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe; Tiago, Gabi, Koke; Adrian, Costa, Villa
ELCHE: M Herrera; Damian, Pelegrin, Botia, Sapunaru; Sanchez, Rivera, Marquez; Coro, Gil, C Herrera
Alineaciones #AtletiElche #YoConfío pic.twitter.com/x7WGwdFl6j
— Elche Club de Fútbol (@elchecfoficial) April 18, 2014
Good Friday + a public holday in Spain but Atleti fans are making a beeline for the Calerón. pic @alejandroromer pic.twitter.com/U3n1EF9jqa
— AS English (@English_AS) April 18, 2014
¡La 'Marea Franjiverde' ya está animando en el Calderón! ¡Gracias afición! #YoConfío #AtletiElche pic.twitter.com/Y0mB9GpA7j
— Elche Club de Fútbol (@elchecfoficial) April 18, 2014
0 - Elche have lost 7 and won none of their last nine away league games (D2), last winning on the road at Real Betis in Oct (1-2). Difficult
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 18, 2014
Diego Costa takes it on the chest. pic.twitter.com/uvNvEchiOX
— AS English (@English_AS) April 18, 2014