Atletico fought back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2, before Sergio Aguero pounced in the 89th minute to earn an unlikely victory and leave Barca with just a four-point advantage at the top after a second successive league loss.

Barca took an 18th-minute lead through Thierry Henry, and on the half-hour Lionel Messi made it 2-0.

But a stunning 25-yard strike from Diego Forlan two minutes later reduced the arrears, and Atletico were level early in the second half when Aguero fired a low shot past Valdes.

Barca were back in front in the 72nd minute through Henry. But the hosts were awarded a penalty after Florent Sinama Pongolle was fouled and Forlan converted, before Aguero drilled in his late winner.

Real Betis coach Paco Chaparro earned a stay of execution as his team fought back from two goals down to claim a vital point from a 2-2 draw at home to high-flying Villarreal.

Two Santi Cazorla goals gave the visitors a convincing lead in a thrilling encounter at the Ruiz de Lopera, before Sergio Garcia grabbed one back three minutes from the break and Ricardo Oliveira pounced shortly before the hour to grab his third in four games since his return to Betis.

The hosts move into 15th, two points above the relegation zone, while Villarreal remain fourth.

Elsewhere today, Juan Rodriguez scored a late winner at Numancia to maintain Deportivo la Coruna's push for European football next season and put their hosts into more relegation trouble.

Real Mallorca made it three wins in a row and drew level on points with their opponents Sporting Gijon after claiming a 1-0 win at El Molinon, courtesy of Juan Arango's free-kick.

Osasuna drew 1-1 at Racing Santander, who took the lead through Oscar Serrano before Walter Pandiani equalised.

Valencia ended a miserable week with a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Real Valladolid.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's men dominated the first half at the Mestalla and went into the interval two goals ahead, courtesy of an early header from Jonathan Sesma and an own goal from Raul Albiol.

The hosts did improve after the break but finished with only Carlos Marchena's consolation to show for their efforts, despite finishing the game at a numerical advantage after Pedro Lopez was shown a straight red card.

Malaga also suffered a surprise home reverse, 2-0 in the Andalusian derby with struggling Recreativo Huelva.

Malaga began the day two points behind Villarreal, but their hopes of putting pressure on their rivals were undermined by the dismissal of Manuel Lolo after 35 minutes.

Javier Camunas then put the visitors ahead after 54 minutes and shortly after the hour Adrian Colunga scored from close range.

Two goals from Alvaro Negredo saw Almeria come from behind to beat Getafe 2-1 at home and move into the top half of the table.

Joffre Guerron fired Getafe into an early lead, but Negredo equalised after 16 minutes and struck the winner in the second half.

Real Madrid had last night recovered from their Champions League defeat against Liverpool with a 2-0 success at Espanyol to narrow the gap behind Barcelona.

In yesterday's other match, third-placed Sevilla came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1.