Sevilla and Villarreal consolidated their positions in the upper reaches of the table with respective home victories over Real Valladolid and Athletic Bilbao.
Sevilla are too far adrift of Barcelona and are unlikely to challenge Real Madrid in second, but picked up another three points as they saw off Valladolid 4-1.
Fredi Kanoute scored a hat-trick at Estadio Ramon Sanchez, drilling home a superb opener after taking Romaric's pass in his stride in only the eighth minute.
Goitom headed Valladolid level in the 21st minute as he escaped his marker in the box to convert a superbly-flighted free-kick, only for Kanoute to respond again before the interval.
Luis Fabiano then made it 3-1 before the hour mark as he burst onto Adriano's through-ball and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home, and there was still plenty of time for Kanoute (71) to complete his treble.
CushionVillarreal remain fourth but now have a five-point cushion over Atletico Madrid following their 2-0 success against Athletic Bilbao.
Santi Cazorla fired the home side into the lead in the 68th minute when he was set up by Giuseppe Rossi to fire a right-foot shot beyond Gorka Iraizoz.
Bilbao's task became even tougher 11 minutes from time when Markel Susaeta was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Cazorla then turned creator in added time at the end of the match as he set up Matias Fernandez to set the seal on victory for Arsenal's UEFA Champions League opponents.
