For the third successive round, Madrid had been provisionally knocked off the summit by second-placed Barca winning 24 hours previously, but the capital club responded again with a hard-fought victory over lowly Racing.

It was far from comfortable for Madrid, but Ronaldo's successful 24th-minute penalty after the Portugal international had been brought down in the area put the visitors on course and Higuain sealed the win 14 minutes from time.

Valencia further strengthened their stranglehold on third place after seeing off Osasuna with three second-half goals at the Mestalla.

Joaquin put Los Che ahead after 48 minutes and David Villa added two more in the last few minutes to complete a comprehensive, if slightly flattering, win for Unai Emery's side.

Pierre Webo's late goal earned Real Mallorca a deserved share of the spoils at Almeria to lift them ahead of Sevilla and into the fourth Champions League spot.

Almeria had taken an early advantage through Kalu Uche, and could have made the game safe but for an impressive performance by Mallorca keeper Dudu Aouate.

But Mallorca had chances of their own and were good value for the point secured when Webo turned in Diaz Ayoze's cross two minutes from time.

Villarreal maintained their push for European football with a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Real Valladolid.

Goals in either half from Angel Lopez and Nilmar earned all three points for the visitors but they could have scored many more in a match they dominated throughout.

The victory moved them up to within two points of sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao and the final Europa League spot.

Getafe's European aspirations took a blow as Espanyol claimed a 1-1 draw.

Manu Del Moral set Getafe on their way with the opener after 27 minutes, but the hosts were unconvincing and Espanyol deservedly got back into the game through Dani Osvaldo's stunning volley shortly into the second period.

Bottom of the table Xerez continued their recent revival as they twice came from behind to earn a valuable point at Sporting Gijon.

The southerners, in their first ever season in the top-flight, went behind early in this game as Alberto Rivera gave the home side the lead with a cross that Xerez keeper Renan Brito badly misjudged.

But the visitors refused to lie down and Mario Bermejo levelled with a fine strike seven minutes into the second half.

Miguel De Las Cuevas duly restored Sporting's lead four minutes later, but again the visitors responded and they secured a hard-earned point thanks to Matias Alustiza's late strike.

In the evening game, Atletico Madrid brushed aside the challenge of European hopefuls Deportivo La Coruna with a 3-0 win at the Vicente Calderon.

Juanito, Diego Forlan and Tiago were the goalscorers for Atletico.