Real Madrid moved to within three points of the LaLiga summit with a hard-working 2-0 home defeat of Valencia.
An eighth-minute Daniel Wass own goal gave the hosts control but the points were not made safe until the closing stages.
Just seven minutes remained when Lucas Vazquez swept in the second goal from 12 yards, set up by Karim Benzema following a Dani Carvajal break.
Elsewhere, Getafe are within a point of the top six after a 3-0 home defeat of Espanyol – who occupy that spot despite losing for the third game in a row.
Jorge Molina opened the scoring in the 55th minute, Jaime Mata doubled the advantage 10 minutes later and Vitorino Antunes wrapped up the win 10 minutes from time.
Leganes moved to within a point of Real Valladolid with a 4-2 away win.
The visitors led 2-0 with goals from Dimitrios Siovas (11) and Oscar (42) but Tomi Villa gave the hosts hope when he pulled one back five minutes into the second half.
However, Guido Carillo scored in the 66th and 75th minutes to end home hopes, before Enes Unal netted their second in added time.
In Saturday’s other match, rock bottom Huesca’s miserable run continued with a 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo, for whom Iago Aspas netted twice (38 and 77).
