Pique was attempting to clear after a Rafa Marquez error had let in Javier Camunas, but the Spain defender could only divert the ball into his own net and Barca were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw which sees their lead at the top of the Primera Division cut to just a point after Real Madrid beat Getafe earlier in the evening.

Before that, Seydou Keita's strike midway through the second half had looked enough to send the Catalans on their way to an eighth victory in nine league games.

Barca remain top, although only by a point after Real Madrid won, while Osasuna move provisionally up to ninth place.

Gonzalo Higuain struck both goals as 10-man Madrid produced a superb performance to see off local rivals Getafe 2-0 and end a traumatic week on a high.

Madrid went into the match under huge pressure following Tuesday's humiliating 4-0 Copa del Rey loss at third tier Alcorcon - their third defeat in five games - and with Spanish media speculating that coach Manuel Pellegrini's job was on the line.

And when Madrid centre-back Raul Albiol was shown a straight red card in the 27th minute, it looked set to be another night of misery for the big-spending Spanish giants.

Higuain, however, stood up to be counted and proved the difference as Madrid turned in what proved to be an impressive performance.

Atletico Madrid's woeful season continued as new manager Quique Sanchez Flores watched them lose 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Fourth from bottom with just one win in the league so far this season going into the game, Sanchez Flores was looking for improvement after replacing the sacked Abel Resino.

However, Javi Martinez's first-half header ensured they left the Basque Country empty-handed with the home side moving back up to seventh in La Liga.

Sevilla scored late in each half to see off struggling Xerez 2-0 in an intense Andalusian derby.

The promoted side had only scored in two of those matches and missed chances again in this clash.

And they were given a lesson in finishing by a clinical Sevilla side, who took the points thanks to goals from Alvaro Negredo and Luis Fabiano late in each half.