Real Madrid opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table, while Xerez secured a rare win.
Deportivo's top-four dreams took an untimely knock, Sevilla came unstuck again and Athletic Bilbao extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
With Barcelona not in action until Sunday, Real Madrid took the opportunity to open up a cushion at the summit.
They had to come from behind to see off plucky Sporting Gijon at Santiago Bernabeu, but eventually ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.
Torres David Barral handed the visitors a shock lead after 53 minutes, but it did not take Real long to turn the tie on its head.
Rafael van der Vaart levelled matters on 56 minutes and Xabi Alonso edged them ahead a minute later.
The in-form Gonzalo Higuain put the seal on an impressive success with a third on 68 minutes.
Sevilla continue to occupy fourth spot in the standings, for 24 hours at least, but they have now gone four games without a win after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Espanyol.
Pablo Osvaldo did the damage for the Catalan outfit, notching either side of half-time (8 and 60) to hand the hosts a first victory in five attempts.
Deportivo La Coruna missed the chance to force their way into UEFA Champions League reckoning after going down 2-0 at home to struggling Real Valladolid.
Goals from Viera Nauzet Aleman (40) and Haris Medunjanin handed Onesimo Sanchez's side a first win in 12 outings.
Depor's slip allowed Athletic Bilbao to climb above them into sixth, although they could only a muster a 2-2 draw in an ill-tempered contest with Getafe.
Pablo Orbaiz broke the deadlock at the Riazor after 14 minutes, but saw Del Moral Manu equalise on 32 minutes.
Orbaiz was then given his marching orders four minutes later, before Miguel Torres followed him down the tunnel on 77 minutes.
Bilbao thought they had snatched the spoils when Fernando Llorente converted from the spot 11 minutes from time, but Leon salvaged a point for the visitors on 86 minutes.
Xerez remain eight points adrift of safety, but secured a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Tenerife this weekend.
They raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Castaneda Mario Bermejo (7) and Aythami (17), before Juan Francisco Nino pulled one back for the Islanders four minutes into the second half.
Xerez then saw Juan Redondo dismissed in stoppage time, but were able to hold on for the win.
Primera Liga round-upWizards net international spot, pick, future transfer fees for Gil
