Luis Aragaones' side managed to take the lead against the visitors when Fernando Correa tucked the ball underneath Iker Casillas on 11 minutes.
However, they failed to hang onto the lead as Raul squared things up on 45 minutes and Ronaldo (pictured) put Real a goal up just ten minutes later.
The result was settled when Luis Figo converted a penalty on 69 to wrap up a win that lifts Real one point above Valencia.
Deportivo La Coruna closed the gap on the top two as they recorded a 2-1 home win over bottom club Espanyol.
They had to come from behind for the win after Jordi Cruyff had given the visitors the lead on 16 minutes.
Albert Luque levelled matters on the stroke of half time and an own goal from Moreno Torricelli gave Depor all three points at the Riazor.
Fourth placed Osasuna slipped up at home when a David Villa (35) strike gave Real Zaragoza a much needed victory.
Athletic Bilbao had to settle for a point at Albacete. Carlos Aranda had put the hosts in front on 14 minutes but Santiago Ezquerro scored for Bilbao five minutes before the break.
Villarreal move up to fifth in the table after two late goals gave them a win at struggling Real Betis.
Sonny Anderson opened the scoring on 75 minutes but Betis hit back five minutes later through Juanito, despite being down to ten men after the dismissal of Daniel Lembo.
However, Villarreal clinched the win as Antonio Guayre netted on 88 minutes and Jose Mari sealed it just a minute later.
Murcia remain in trouble after slipping to a home defeat to Malaga. Insua Federico put the away team one up on 16 minutes but there was hope for Murcia, when David Karanka equalised six minutes later.
Malaga then stole the points when forward Manuel Canabal struck in the final minute of the game.
Barcelona had to settle for a home draw against Celta Vigo, a result that leaves them ninth in the table and 15 points off top spot.
Struggling Celta went in front on 17 minutes when Jesuli scored to stun the Camp Nou faithful.
However, home pressure eventually paid off as Philippe Cocu popped up to equalise with twenty minutes left to play.
La Liga results
Albacete 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona 1-1 Celta Vigo
Deportivo 2-1 Espanyol
Mallorca 1-3 Real Madrid
Murcia 1-2 Malaga
Osasuna 0-1 Real Zaragoza
Real Betis 1-3 Villarreal
