Barcelona hit Real Zaragoza for six as Valencia beat Almeria and Real Valladolid shocked Deportivo La Coruna.
Barcelona may have suffered a shock defeat to Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Champions League in midweek but they have been irresistible in the Primera Liga and an awesome performance against Zaragoza carried them back to the top of the table above Real Madrid.
Mali international Seydou Keita was the star of the show with a magnificent hat-trick as Barca triumphed 6-1 at Camp Nou.
Keita's opener came from a header on 25 minutes before Zlatan Ibrahimovic powered home an unstoppable free-kick four minutes later.
Keita rounded off a flowing move to make it 3-0 just before the interval and then turned provider with a left-wing cross for Ibrahimovic early in the second half.
Jorge Lopez pulled a goal back for Zaragoza in the 78th minute before Lionel Messi got in on the act with a delightful chip and Keita completed his treble with another header.
Valencia moved up to fourth with an impressive 3-0 victory away to Almeria.
There were no goals in the first half but David Villa headed Valencia in front after 54 minutes and Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alvez was then sent off a few minutes later.
Valencia were in ruthless mood as they capitalised on their extra man courtesy of further goals from Pablo Hernandez, a cheeky lob from 30 yards, and Juan Mata.
Real Valladolid upset the form book with an emphatic 4-0 success against high-flying Deportivo La Coruna, who had won their four previous matches.
Nauzet Aleman set Valladolid on their way to three points with a goal on 19 minutes and then a second just after the interval.
Diego Costa made it 3-0 with 13 minutes remaining and Haris Medunjanin added late gloss to the scoreline.
Athletic Bilbao's poor run continued with a 2-0 defeat at Getafe and to make matters worse they finished the match with ten men as Carlos Gurpegi and Ustaritz were both sent off.
Roberto Soldardo broke the deadlock for Getafe in the 61st minute and Daniel Parejo slotted home a penalty 11 minutes later.
Racing Santander salvaged a 1-1 draw against Osasuna thanks to a last-gasp equaliser from Manuel Arana, after Walter Pandiani had opened the scoring early in the second half.
The bottom two met at El Madrigal and it was Villarreal who prevailed 2-1 against Malaga to secure their first victory of the campaign.
Nilmar's opener after 27 minutes was cancelled out by Albert Luque on the stroke of half-time but Joan Capdevila netted the winner for Villarreal in the 56th minute.
Tenerife came out on top in a battle between two other struggling sides as Alejandro Alfaro's 75th minute goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Xerez.
FCD defeats Rapids, continues chargePrimera Liga round-up
