Valencia were shocked by Espanyol as Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna claimed victories.
Espanyol's charge up the table continued with a 3-0 win against high-flying Valencia.
The score was goalless at half-time but Espanyol took the lead through Roman Martinez in the 66th minute.
Nicolas Pareja added a second eight minutes from time and Nene then scored from the penalty spot late on.
Atletico Madrid remain in contention for a European place following a 2-0 victory over Real Betis which lifts them to within one point of Valencia.
Diego Forlan was the star of the show, opening the scoring after 14 minutes and then sealing the three points with a second goal on 89 minutes.
Deportivo La Coruna kept up their fine form as Nouioui Lassad's early goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
Valladolid, now without a win in their last seven outings, were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when Luis Prieto was red carded.
Jose Marin set Real Mallorca on their way to a 2-1 success against struggling Getafe by breaking the deadlock after just nine minutes.
David Navarro equalised at the start of the second half but Aritz Aduriz fired in a winner with 21 minutes remaining.
Recreativo Huelva overcame Osasuna 2-1 to end a run of six straight defeats and climb off the foot of the table.
Walter Pandiani put Osasuna ahead midway through the first half but the game turned when Fernandez Sergio was sent off on 55 minutes.
Recreativo capitalised on their extra man and claimed all three points courtesy of strikes from Ersen Martin and Nasief Morris.
Sporting Gijon also halted a sequence of six consecutive losses with a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Gijon looked set to win following Mate Bilic's opener on the hour mark but Andoni Iraola netted a last-gasp leveller for Bilbao.
Juan Manuel Ortiz scored twice inside the opening 14 minutes to inspire Almeria to a 2-0 triumph at Racing Santander.
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