Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga this weekend:
ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 1
A valuable point that left Athletic four points clear of the drop zone.
Defender Ander Murillo put Athletic in front when he headed in from a corner in the second half, although Depor striker Riki cancelled out the lead five minutes later when he blasted home a long-range free kick.
Depor's Joan Capdevila and Athletic's Josu Sarriegi were both sent off late in the game.
BARCELONA 1 REAL BETIS 1
Barca ended a miserable week that saw them crash out of the Cup with a home draw that could end up costing them the title.
They got off to what appeared to be a perfect start when Ronaldinho smashed in from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Deco had been brought down when he burst into the area.
But they failed to finish the job and paid the price when Betis striker Rafael Sobis took advantage of some shaky defending to fire home at the near post two minutes from time.
CELTA VIGO 1 LEVANTE 2
Levante moved six points clear of the drop zone after inflicting a fourth defeat in a row on Hristo Stoichkov's troubled Celta.
Argentine Gustavo Reggi put Levante ahead thanks to a highly controversial penalty late in the first half and fellow striker Riga made it 2-0 when he lashed in from the edge of the area.
Celta striker Fernando Baiano pulled one back in the 62nd minute but his effort was to no avail.
GETAFE 1 ATLETICO MADRID 4
Getafe were brought back down to earth after their stunning 4-0 Cup victory over Barcelona in midweek as they slipped to their second defeat at home this season.
A classy double from leading striker Fernando Torres, a long-range strike from Portugal midfielder Maniche and a late penalty from Luciano Galletti earned Atletico Madrid an emphatic win that put them a step closer to Europe.
Former Atletico midfielder Manu del Moral scored for Getafe.
GIMNASTIC 1 REAL SOCIEDAD 3
A result that left Gimnastic on the brink of relegation but kept alive Sociedad's hopes of staying in the top flight.
Sociedad went 2-0 up on 25 minutes thanks to a header from Gaizka Garitano and a fine strike from fellow midfielder Savio.
Former Real Madrid striker Javier Portillo pulled one back with a 35-metre stunner from wide on the left on the half hour, but defender Ion Ansotegi killed the game off with a well taken close range volley midway through the second half.
OSASUNA 1 VILLARREAL 4
Diego Forlan was the star of the show as he hit a second-half hat-trick to lead Villarreal to a fourth win in a row against a sorry-looking Osasuna who stretched their winless run to seven games.
French midfielder Robert Pires set Villarreal on the way in the seventh minute only to see Valdo square the game soon after when he tapped in from two metres out. But Forlan turned on the style in the second half to finish off the Navarrans.
The Uruguayan whipped his first goal into the far corner on 64 minutes, outpaced keeper Ricardo for his second and completed his hat-trick with a breakaway goal in injury time.
RACING SANTANDER 0 REAL MALLORCA 2
Racing got off to a bad start when influential forward Pedro Munitis was sent off for hitting out at Sergio Ballesteros in the 21st minute.
The held on until the break but paid the price when Mallorca struck twice early in the second half, Fernando Navarro heading in from close range and Venezuelan international Juan Arango tucking the ball home after a great assist from Ariel Ibagaza.
VALENCIA 2 REAL ZARAGOZA 0
An important win that went a long way to ensuring Valencia a place in next season's Champions League.
Defender Emiliano Moretti put the home side in front when he swept in from close range after connecting with a miscued shot from David Silva on 20 minutes.
Leading striker David Villa missed a penalty soon after, but Silva made it 2-0 when he put the finishing touch to a wonderful passing move on the stroke of halftime.
Played Saturday:
REAL MADRID 4 ESPANYOL 3
A last-gasp strike from Gonzalo Higuain earned Real a dramatic comeback win that put them top of the table and in charge of the title race with just four games to go.
Fabio Capello's side looked to be in trouble as they trailed the UEFA Cup finalists 3-1 at the break, Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani notching up a hat-trick in the space of just 19 minutes and Ruud van Nistelrooy replying for the home side.
A determined Real hit back at the start of the second half, Raul drilling in four minutes after the restart and substitute Jose Antonio Reyes making it 3-3 when he steered home after keeper Carlos Kameni had collided with a defender.
SEVILLA 2 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1
Sevilla warmed up for Wednesday's UEFA Cup final against Espanyol with a win that kept them in the hunt for the title.
Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca put the home side in front when he fired in after controlling the ball with his chest on the edge of the area and Br azilian striker Luis Fabiano made it 2-0 with a penalty.
Midfielder Jesus Vazquez pulled one back for Recreativo with another spot kick a minute from time.