Second-half goals from Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol - both set up by the returning Xavi - turned the match around after Pablo Hernandez had given the visitors the lead eight minutes before the break.

But Real Madrid returned to the summit later in the day as two goals apiece from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo saw them hammer Malaga 4-1 away from home.

Higuain book-ended the scoring, volleying in Ronaldo's deep cross and later slotting home after more good work by the Portuguese.

In between times, Mesut Ozil squared for Ronaldo to sweep in his first and was brought down for the penalty from which he made it 3-0.

Malaga had enjoyed a short spell of pressure at the start of the second half and it led to Kris Stadsgaard's consolation goal, but they were outclassed for much of the game.

Atletico Madrid enjoyed a timely morale boost as they beat local rivals Getafe in an evenly-fought derby at the Vicente Calderon.

Simao Sabrosa's brilliant free-kick deflected in off the back of Getafe goalkeeper Jordi Codina via the post to put Atletico ahead in the 38th minute before Diego Costa sealed the points in the 73rd.