In many ways, this was a classic Atlético performance. Tight at the back, dangerous on the counter and playing with plenty of passion (which in the case of Álvaro Morata may have boiled over), this was the kind of game that has become so typical under Diego Simeone - with one big difference. Today, it wasn't the suspended Antoine Griezmann or Diego Costa who produced the match-winning moment.
Instead it was Frenchman Thomas Lemar who struck to give Atlético three points that, mathematically at least, keep them in the hunt for the La Liga title. The winger, who replaced Spanish attacker Vitolo in the 55th minute, arrived from the left to sweep home a low Koke cross five minutes from time. Having arrived from Monaco in the summer, Lemar has struggled for game time and form under Simeone, but will be hoping that this crucial goal can be a turning point in his Atlético career.
The first half was little to write home about, with Ángel Correa and Álvaro Morata each spurning one-on-ones. Correa was smartly denied by the outstanding Marko Dmitrovic in the Eibar goal, whereas Morata was far too slow and ponderous and was robbed of the ball by Sergio Álvarez just as he was about to pull the trigger. Eibar themselves nearly opened the scoring after 20 seconds as Marc Cardona dragged an effort wide of Oblak's far post, but after that created nothing of note during the first period.
Guilt-edged chances were missed by Sergi Enrich and Morata within five minutes of the restart as the second half saw both sides step up the intensity. Enrich headed wide from all of 8 yards following an inch-perfect Joan Jordán delivery, and Morata dragged his left-footed effort wide of the far post after being slid through by Vitolo - much to the despair of the always expressive Simeone.
Dmitrovic made two more important saves - one from a long range Koke effort and one from a Godín header - before finally being beaten by Lemar for the Frenchman's third league goal of the season.
More drama was to follow before the final whistle, however, as Álvaro Morata - who cut a frustrated figure as he looked off the pace all afternoon - was given what appeared to be a light push on the back of the neck by the referee Javier Alberola Rojas after a seemingly afternoon-long battle with the official. Morata ended up being booked for his constant complaints, although Rojas may face retrospective action for putting his hands on a player.
Eibar had one final chance to level proceedings as the ball fell to impressive midfielder Joan Jordán in the third minute of added time, but he fired his effort wide of the left post and in classic fashion Simeone's side take three points that will, at the very least, further delay Barcelona's coronation as La Liga champions.