Lopo helps Deportivo clinch 3 points
Deportivo La Coruna ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win at Racing Santander on Sunday to move level on points with fourth-placed Valencia in the Primera Division.
The winner arrived with just 14 minutes remaining as Albert Lopo struck to give the Galicians their eighth league success in 12 matches.
Atletico Madrid moved out of the relegation zone after registering an emphatic 4-0 win over Espanyol.
Much-coveted striker Sergio Aguero was the star of the show, scoring two and making two - for strike partner Diego Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez - as the hosts claimed just their second win of an underwhelming season so far.
The young Argentinian, who this week insisted he has no intention of quitting the Rojiblancos in the January transfer window, ran Espanyol ragged with the visitors' frustration manifesting itself in the late dismissal of Facundo Roncaglia.
Athletic Bilbao continued their recent revival with a 4-1 victory over Almeria at a rain-drenched Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos.
Two goals in four minutes from Javi Martinez and Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora just prior to half-time set Athletic on their way and second-half strikes from Fernando Llorente and Oscar De Marcos saw the visitors bag their most prolific away win since 2003.
Roberto Soldado grabbed a hat-trick as Getafe blitzed 10-man Xerez with five goals in the space of 17 minutes either side of half-time to claim a 5-1 victory.
Artiles Aythami had headed Xerez in front in the 33rd minute, but the game turned dramatically in the space of two minutes just before half time.
Soldado scored his first in the 44th minute and moments later, David Prieto hauled down Daniel Parejo to earn a red card and give Soldado the chance to put Getafe ahead from the penalty spot.
The assault continued in the second half as Parejo made it 3-1 in the 57th minute before Soldado completed his hat-trick moments later.
Javi Casquero completed the scoring on the hour mark to leave Xerez reeling.
Tenerife came back from 3-0 down with less than half an hour to go to claim a 3-3 draw at Real Valladolid and secure their first away point of the season.
The Pucela had appeared to be on their way to a convincing victory - and only their second at home this season - when two goals from Diego Costa and a penalty by Fabian Canobbio saw them ease into a 3-0 lead with 27 minutes to go.
However, two goals in eight minutes from Francisco Nino and Rodriguez Angel set up a nervy finish for Valladolid and Garcia Ayoze pounced four minutes from time to stun the hosts.
Tenerife, who had scored just one away goal before Sunday, even had Ezequiel Luna sent off for managing to pick up two bookings in the final three minutes but it was of no consequence.
Javad Nekounam's first-half header earned Osasuna only their second away win of the season as they beat Real Zaragoza 1-0.
Nekounam got on the end of fellow Iranian Masoud Shojaei's 27th-minute free-kick to nod home what would prove to be the only goal of an entertaining game at La Romareda.
On Saturday, Valencia paid the price for some poor finishing against Mallorca as they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw after conceding a late penalty.
Unai Emery's side dominated from the outset but were wasteful in front of goal, with David Villa particularly off form.
Villa did put Valencia ahead early in the second half, but stopped his side from scoring a further two and also missed a good chance early on.
Mallorca were barely in it, but the visitors won a penalty with six minutes left and Borja Valero converted to give them an unlikely point.
Sevilla missed the chance to close the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid when they were held 2-2 at home by bottom side Malaga.
The visitors took a shock 2-0 lead at the interval thanks to goals from Fernando (23) and Patrick Mtiliga, but Sevilla deservedly hit back in the second half with a brace from Luis Fabiano.
Mate Bilic struck the winner as Sporting Gijon continued their excellent recent form with a 1-0 win at home to Villarreal.
The Croatia striker was alert to the rebound and scrambled the ball home from close-range after Alberto Rivera had seen his penalty parried by Diego Lopez 15 minutes from time.
Villarreal defender Gonzalo Rodriguez was sent off for the foul on Miguel De Las Cuevas and there was no way back after that for the 10-man visitors.
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