Mallorca's defence had done well to keep out the hosts until Benzema struck after 61 minutes to take Madrid within four points of Barca.

Espanyol boosted their hopes of a place in next season's Champions League as they came from a goal down to beat Getafe 3-1 in Madrid.

The Barcelona-based side found themselves trailing to Miku's early strike, but hit back seven minutes into the second half through Luis Garcia and wrapped up a third straight league win thanks to goals from Jose Callejon and Sergio Garcia.

Real Zaragoza edged past Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 to secure a third successive win at La Romareda and move out of the relegation zone for the first time since the beginning of the season.

Said Boutahar scored the decisive goal eight minutes before the interval.

Almeria also continued their revival with a 3-2 victory over Osasuna to move off the foot of the table.

Carlos Garcia Badias and Leonardo Ulloa put Almeria ahead, before Carlos Aranda gave Osasuna hope, only for Ulloa to notch his second after the break.

Dejan Lekic responded again for the visitors in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late.

Davia Barral scored the only goal as Sporting Gijon put some ground between themselves and the bottom three by upsetting Atletico Madrid at El Molinon.