A quick-fire Cristiano Ronaldo brace helped Real Madrid beat bottom side Xerez on Saturday and reduce the gap on leaders Barcelona to two points.
Xerez belied their lowly status by holding Real Madrid until the 64th minute, when Alvaro Arbeloa scored with a low shot after getting behind the home side's defence.
Ronaldo then marked his return from suspension by adding a second in the 69th minute when heading home from Kaka's cross after the Brazilian had got to the byline.
The duo combined again to put the visitors out of sight just two minutes later. This time, the unselfish Kaka squared for the better-placed Ronaldo to finish simply and seal what, in the end, was a comfortable victory.
The result sees the gap to leaders Barcelona cut to two points, with Pep Guardiola's side set to play Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Villarreal beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to move up to ninth in the table, four points behind their seventh-placed opponents.
Joan Capdevila put the home side ahead in the fifth minute before Igor Gabilondo equalised 19 minutes later.
But Nilmar scored on the stroke of half-time to give Villarreal the win, although Iker Munian won a penalty for Athletic late on but Andoni Iraloa saw his spot-kick saved by Diego Lopez.
The game then ended in controversy with three players sent off in injury time - two for Athletic, one for Villarreal.
Athletic's Javi Martinez received his marching orders after leading with his arm while going for a header with Diego Godin, who retaliated on the ground to also get sent-off.
A melee then ensued between the two sides and when play resumed, Pablo Orbaiz was sent-off for fighting.
Valencia came from behind to secure a point in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon, who ended a run of four successive league losses in the game.
The home side took a fifth-minute lead when Carmelo Gonzalez forced a corner after his shot was deflected wide.
From the resulting centre, Diego Castro was left all alone to hit a measured drive into the top corner.
Despite incessant pressure which saw them twice rattle the woodwork, Valencia were unable to find a way through until Juan Mata's leveller 14 minutes from time.
Ever Banega picked out Mata with a deep pass and the youngster tucked the ball underneath the advancing Juan Pablo, who had come off his line to narrow the angle.
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