Luis Garcia's penalty put the Barcelona-based side ahead after 31 minutes - the first time the Catalans had led on the road all season.

But they appeared unlikely to hold on to it as Dani Osvaldo was dismissed for an elbow on Jose Angel Crespo five minutes later.

However, the visitors defended resolutely to move up to sixth and hand Mallorca their first home defeat of the season.

Sporting Gijon beat Sevilla 2-0 at El Molinon.

Gaston Sangoy scored the first after six minutes and Diego Castor added a delightful second at the start of the second half, but in truth it could have been more.

Sevilla passed up the chance to go fifth, while the win took Sporting 11th.

Man of the moment Fernando Llorente was again on the mark as Athletic Bilbao bounced back from successive defeats to see off 10-man Real Zaragoza 2-1 at San Mames.

Llorente has found himself the centre of attention this week after netting three crucial goals in Spain'stwo Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Lithuania and Scotland, with subsequent media reports linking him with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona.

He responded by heading home Athletic's second goal in the 24th minute after Andoni Iraola had put the hosts ahead, and the in-form hitman was also the man fouled as Zaragoza defender Adam Pinter picked up a second yellow card in the 53rd minute.

Winless Zaragoza, who slumped to the bottom of the table with this defeat, bravely tried to fight back and they halved Athletic's lead in injury time through Braulio, but it was too little too late.

Osasuna held out for almost an hour with a man fewer to pick up their first away point since January after playing out a goalless draw with struggling Deportivo La Coruna.

Forward Javier Camunas was handed a straight red card in the 35th minute for something he said to the referee, but Depor could not make the most of their man advantage as they let slip a great chance to claim their first win of the season.

Pedro Munitis' superb first-half strike proved the difference as Racing Santander edged out Almeria in an entertaining encounter at Estadio El Sardinero while Levante sealed their first home win since returning to the Primera Division in the summer as they deservedly edged out fellow promoted side Real Sociedad 2-1.

Asier Del Horno and Felipe Caicedo gave the hosts a commanding lead with Jeffrey Sarpong halving the deficit with 11 minutes to go.

Barcelona and Real Madrid both won yesterday while Villarreal can go top tomorrow night with a win at Hercules.