Real Zaragoza strengthened their claims for a spot in Europe with a win over Gimnastic.
Barcelona limbered up for their crucial UEFA Champions League trip to Levski Sofia with a 4-1 win at Real Mallorca.Frank Rijkaard's management skills are being tested to the full by an injury crisis, but his charges proved too good for the Islanders.
Eidur Gudjohnsen scored the first two goals, both excellent finishes, although Mallorca threatened to spark a fightback when Victor Casadesus pulled one back 20 minutes from time.
Andres Iniesta restored Barca's cushion with a goal four minutes from the end, but the best was saved for injury time.
A sweeping move saw Ronaldinho play in Santiago Ezquerro and he clipped the ball home from the edge of the box to set Barca up nicely for their trip to Sofia.
Celta Vigo secured the spoils in the Galician derby, as Nene's neat finish 17 minutes from time following a fine pass from Jonathan sealed victory over Deportivo La Coruna.
Real Zaragoza strengthened their claims for a spot in Europe with a home win over Gimnastic, while Atletico Madrid were also impressive winners.
Zaragoza have made a fine start to the season and a 3-0 win on Sunday kept them in fourth in La Liga.
Nastic frustrated Zaragoza in the first half, but the home side made the breakthrough on 49 minutes when Pablo Aimar found the target from long range.
The second came from Oscar Gonzalez shortly afterwards and Gerard Pique capped a fine display with a late third.
A penalty from Fernando Torres and brace from Maniche secured three points for Atletico from their trip to Levante.
Walter Pandiani scored five minutes into injury time as Espanyol beat Athletic Bilbao 3-2.
The lead changed hands twice as Raul Tamudo netted a brace for Espanyol to cancel out Francisco Yeste's penalty before Artiz Aduritz hauled Athletic level 20 minutes from time. And the game seemed set to end all squad until Pandiani's late intervention.
Rodolfo Arrubarrena scored the only goal of the game as Villarreal got the better of Getafe, while Javi Guerrero and Ikechukwu Uche scored to hand Recreativo De Huelva victory over Osasuna.
Real Sociedad remain bottom following a 0-0 home draw with Real Betis.
