Real Madrid lost ground on La Liga's top three after being held to a 1-1 draw by Getafe.
Real Madrid lost ground on La Liga's top three after being held to a 1-1 draw by capital rivals Getafe.
The visitors dominated early on and took the lead on 38 minutes when Daniel Guiza fired home.
However, Madrid levelled on the stroke of half time when Ruud van Nistelrooy fired home from the penalty spot.
Real dominated after the break but they could not find a way through as Bernd Schuster's side claimed a point.
Recreativo moved level on points with Atletico Madrid after they beat the Rojiblancos 1-0 at The Neuvu Colombino.
The only goal of the game came ten minutes in when Florent Sinama-Pongolle fired home from the penalty spot. Atletico's day was compounded by the sending off of Costinha in the final minute.
Gimnastic began the day at the foot of the table but they leaped above Real Sociedad thanks to their victory at the San Mames.
Goals in each half from Javier Portillo (37) and Antonio Pinilla (72) gave Gimnastic victory. The visitors win as all the better considering Mingo was dismissed on 54 minutes.
Sociedad are now bottom after they succumbed 3-2 at Real Zaragoza, who now find themselves in fifth.
German Herrera had fired Sociedad ahead on 17 minutes, but the home side bounced back in the second half - as Pablo Aimar (55), Diego Milito (76 pen) and Ewerthon (82) struck.
Zaragoza threatened to snatch something as Inigo Diaz De Cerio struck in injury time, but they could not salvage anything from the game.
Real Mallorca moved four points clear of the relegation zone after they sealed a 3-1 win over Levante.
After a goalless first half, Mallorca raced into a two-goal lead as Bosco Jankovic (48) and Victor Casadeus (52) pounced.
Olivier Kapo (74) gave Levante some hope, but Mallorca secured success thanks to Juan Arango in the final minute.
Racing Santander remain tenth after they claimed a 1-0 win over Osasuna, with Juanjo grabbing the winner nine minutes from time.
Espanyol and Villarreal played out a 1-1 draw at the Olympic Stadium.
Raul Tamudo put the home side ahead on the half hour mark, but Diego Forlan struck on 53 minutes to seal a draw for The Yellow Submarines.
Real Betis eased their relegation worries with a 1-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna with Fernando striking the winner with ten minutes left.
Click below for match summaries:
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Gimnastic
Deportivo La Coruna 0-1 Real Betis
Espanyol 1-1 Villarreal
Mallorca 3-1 Levante
Racing Santander 1-0 Osasuna
Real Madrid 1-1 Getafe
Real Zaragoza 3-2 Real Sociedad
Recreativo 1-0 Atletico Madrid
