Radamel Falcao beat two Real Madrid players before setting up Costa, although Falcao -- one of the most coveted strikers in the world -- otherwise had a quiet evening.
United have reportedly been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and Atletico Madrid's prolific forward Radamel Falcao.
Messi, who scored a world record 91 goals in 2012, is now 10 clear of Atletico's Radamel Falcao in the La Liga scoring charts.
Real also conceded first in the match against their city rivals at the Vicente Calderon -- Radamel Falcao opening the scoring in the fourth minute.
Mame Diouf gave Hanover some late hope with an equalizer on 81 minutes but Radamel Falcao scored the clinching goal for Atletico in the closing moments.
Colombian striker Radamel Falcao scored twice to overtake Lionel Messi at the top of La Liga's scoring charts, with Atletico's thirteen points now just two fewer than Barcelona.
Visiting Valencia took the lead in the first half through Jonas, but Atletico's top scorer Radamel Falcao immediately replied with his 22nd in La Liga this season from Arda Turan's cross.
After Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a typically impressive header, Diego Costa leveled on a counter attack in the 35th after superb work by striking partner Radamel Falcao.
Meanwhile, Radamel Falcao scored twice as third place Atletico Madrid cruised to a 5-0 win over Granada, while Real Sociedad's Imanol Agirretxe kept his side's push for Champions League football on track.
Gabi dispossessed Gerard Pique and fed the ball to striker Radamel Falcao, who netted his 28th goal this season to stay third in the "Pichichi" scoring stakes behind Messi (46) and Cristiano Ronaldo (34).
Atletico striker Radamel Falcao scored his 19th league goal this season, putting him third in the Pichichi standings behind Real's Cristiano Ronaldo -- who took his tally to 24 with a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-1 win over Sevilla.
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