Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday night opened the door for Barca to reduce the deficit to their arch-rivals to five points.

But they could not manage it, despite taking the lead twice, with Nigerian striker Kalu Uche heading a late equaliser for the hosts.

Bojan Krkic and Samuel Eto'o scored for Frank Rijkaard's side with Ruben Pulido and Uche replying.

Barcelona were also forced to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of defender Gabi Milito for a second bookable offence.

Villarreal consolidated their position in the top three with a 2-0 home victory over troubled Real Zaragoza.

Villarreal, who are now just two points behind Barcelona, claimed the spoils against Zaragoza thanks to a goal in either half from strikers Nihat Kahveci and Giuseppe Rossi.

Nihat put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute before substitute Rossi doubled his side's lead from the penalty spot in the 66th minute as Zaragoza slumped to their fifth defeat in their last six outings.

Atletico Madrid moved back up to fourth after beating bottom side Levante 3-0 - Diego Forlan scoring twice to add to Simao Sabrosa's opener.

Luis Garcia struck a dramatic late winner as Espanyol came from behind to beat Real Mallorca 2-1 at Montjuic.

Dani Guiza gave the islanders the lead after 13 minutes, but Luis Garcia equalised from the penalty spot on the hour mark and grabbed a second at the death to keep Espanyol's European hopes alive.

Getafe struck a psychological blow ahead of their midweek Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Racing Santander by fighting back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win over the Cantabrian side.

Visitors Racing had taken the lead through Ebi Smolarek just after half-time but goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Jaime Gavilan saw the home side turn the game on its head and extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Getafe striker Braulio and Racing goalkeeper Antonio Tono were both handed their marching orders following a scuffle in the 78th minute.

Real Valladolid continue to teeter on the edge of the drop zone after they struggled to a goalless draw with mid-table Osasuna at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

Madrid's defeat at Depor on Saturday, which came courtesy of Pepe's own goal, was overshadowed by the abandonment of Real Betis' Primera Liga match against Athletic Bilbao.

The encounter at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium was called off after visiting goalkeeper Armando Ribeiro was hit in the face by a bottle of water apparently thrown by a man from the stands behind the goal.

Armando, whose team were 2-1 up at the time of the incident, was walking back to take a goal-kick when he was struck and went down clutching his face.

He was then stretchered off and the game abandoned with around 20 minutes remaining.

Fran Yeste had given the visitors an early lead by slotting low past Betis goalkeeper Ricardo from 12 yards in the ninth minute and Mark Gonzalez equalised with a close-range strike 10 minutes before the break.

David Lopez restored Athletic's lead in the second half when he converted from the spot after Arzu had brought down Fernando Llorente.

In Valencia, Luis Fabiano was again his side's hero with two goals as Sevilla won 2-1.

Raul Albiol pulled a late goal back for Valencia, but it could not prevent the home side from suffering their 12th defeat of a miserable season.

Recreativo Huelva gave their hopes of survival a massive boost with a 4-2 home win over 10-man Real Murcia.

Enrique De Lucas (16) netted the opener for visiting Murcia, but their lead lasted just three minutes before Recre equalised through Florent Sinama Pongolle.

Recre took the lead on 59 minutes through Marco Ruben before Sinama Pongolle (71) made it 3-1 two minutes after Cesar Arzo had been given his marching orders for Murcia.

Murcia were given a lifeline when Ivan Alonso fire home from the penalty spot but the 10 men could make no further inroads and Recre sealed the win through Marcos Garcia.