Radamel Falcao gave another demonstration of his predatory instincts with a five-goal haul as Atletico Madrid crushed hapless Deportivo La Coruna 6-0.

Diego Costa headed the hosts in front midway through the first half but thereafter it was a one-man show as Falcao stroked home the second moments later before volleying in a wonderful third just before the break.

And the flow of goals for the Colombian continued after half-time as he slotted home a penalty and two more from close range to take his tally for the season to 19.

The visitors were missing their three first-choice centre-backs in Carlos Marchena, Ze Castro and Aythami through injury and suspension and Atleti exposed the inexperienced duo of Roderick and Insua in a clinical display.

Costa put his red card in the Europa League defeat to Academica on Thursday behind him with a powerful downward header from Koke's corner to open the scoring.

However, Depor were causing problems of their own in the first quarter of the game and should have been level when Riki's cross found Juan Carlos Valeron completely unmarked inside the area but his header came back off the post and rebounded to safety.

And the Galicians were to rue that miss as Falcao then took over with a stunning display of striking efficiency.

The South American got his first after 28 minutes when Koke released him in behind the Depor defence and he made no mistake with a low drive across Daniel Aranzubia.

And three minutes before half-time it was three as Falcao scored the goal of the night with a thunderous volley from outside the box that flew into the far corner.

After a quiet start to the second period the former Porto striker sealed his hat-trick from the spot after he had been felled by Roderick, and then grabbed his fourth from barely a yard when Aranzubia got a hand to Arda Turan's goalbound effort.

Falcao then registered his fifth and Atleti's sixth as he took advantage of some more woeful defending to turn inside the box onto his right foot and slot an effort low beyond Aranzubia 19 minutes from time.

Victory means Atleti regain their five-point advantage over Real Madrid in second place, whilst a sixth straight game without a win leaves Depor rooted to the foot of the table.