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Nolito struck in the final minute as Celta Vigo's unbeaten start to the La Liga season continued with a 2-1 victory at 10-man Villarreal.
Celta came into Sunday's clash as just one of just two sides - along with Real Madrid - yet to taste defeat in the league and they moved level with Rafael Benitez's men and Barcelona at the top.
Fabian Orellana put Celta in front shortly before half-time, but Villarreal made light of losing Eric Bailly to a second yellow card by equalising through Denis Suarez midway through the second period.
Just when it seemed the spoils would be shared, Orellana's shot rebounded back off the crossbar and fell to Nolito, who controlled and drilled home his sixth league goal of the season.
Celta are now level with Madrid and Barca on 18 points, with Atletico Madrid two points further behind in fourth courtesy of their 2-0 win at Real Sociedad.
Former Sociedad man Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in the ninth minute, Atleti adding a second amid a flurry of action right at the end of the game.
Sociedad saw Diego Reyes sent off a minute from time, before Jonathas had a penalty appeal waved away - Atleti breaking upfield to seal the game through Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco's first goal for the club.
An enraged Jonathas then received two bookings in quick succession as he protested against his earlier perceived injustice.
Las Palmas' struggles continued as they were thrashed 4-0 at Getafe.
Victor Rodriguez and Pablo Sarabia netted in the opening 11 minutes for the hosts and after Las Palmas saw Emmanuel Culio sent off, Stefan Scepovic added a late brace.
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao looked on course for victory as they went two up at Deportivo La Coruna through Inaki Williams and Aritz Aduriz, only for goals in the last 10 minutes from Lucas Perez and Alejandro Arribas to earn Depor a point in a 2-2 draw.
Las Palmas have sacked head coach Paco Herrera after just eight games of the new Liga season.
The 61-year-old guided the Canary Island club back into Spain's top flight at the end of last term following a 13-year absence and was rewarded with a new contract in June.
However, with just one win from their first eight games leaving them second from bottom, Herrera has been given his marching orders.
"Las Palmas thanks Paco Herrera for his dedication, professionalism and warmth from the first day he assumed control of the first team," a club statement read on Monday.
"We wish him success for the future knowing that he has written one of the happiest pages in the history of this club - the return to the Primera Division."
Las Palmas, beaten 4-0 by Getafe on Sunday, host Villarreal this weekend.
Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto will be out for up to 10 days after injuring his groin in the 2-0 win over BATE in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The midfielder was withdrawn 18 minutes into the Group E clash in Belarus – his replacement Ivan Rakitic scoring twice after the break to send Barca three points clear at the top.
Amid a transfer ban from FIFA and injuries to Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Rafinha, Roberto's absence soured an otherwise positive evening for coach Luis Enrique.
The European champions confirmed in a statement: "Tests on Wednesday morning reveal that first team player Sergi Roberto has pulled an adductor tendon in his left groin.
"He is expected to be out of action for seven to 10 days."
It means the 23-year-old is set to miss Sunday's visit of Eibar in La Liga and the trip to Villanovense in the Copa del Rey two days later.
He is likely to be in line for a return for the league clash against Getafe on October 31.
Luis Enrique mocks award: ´I will be up for the golden cucumber next´
21 October 2015 13:24
Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has mocked his inclusion in the 10-man shortlist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year award, suggesting he will be nominated for the 'golden cucumber' next.
The former Celta Vigo and Roma boss is one of the top candidates for the award after leading the Camp Nou club to the treble in his debut season at the helm.
Luis Enrique, though, insisted he has no interest in individual awards and had not even been aware of his nomination for the accolade - which will be awarded on January 11 along with the Ballon d'Or - until being told after the game with BATE.
He said: "The Ballon d'Or? I will be up for the golden cucumber next!"
"I had no idea. I have got very little or no interest at all in individual awards and prefer to focus on team trophies."
Barcelona beat BATE 2-0 on Tuesday to move on to seven points from their first three Champions League matches in 2015-16.
Luis Enrique praised Ivan Rakitic - who scored both goals in the second half - and refused to be negative about Neymar after the Brazil international failed to score.
"Both goals will do him the world of good," said the coach. "For the team too, the more players than can join the party, the better – especially in a side like Barcelona which creates a lot of attempts on goal.
"Neymar looked just as good as he always does. It is not a question of stepping forward – you can't pile the responsibility on one player.
"A 4-4 result in the other game [between Bayer Leverkusen and Roma] is perfect."
Barcelona v Eibar: Turbulent week ends with Camp Nou clash
23 October 2015 15:44
Barcelona are looking to end a turbulent week with their seventh Liga win of the season when they host Eibar on Sunday.
It was confirmed this week that club icon Johan Cruyff has been diagnosed with lung cancer, prompting a wave of support from current and former players for the former Netherlands international, with Barca captain Andres Iniesta among those to wish the 68-year-old well.
Allegations of corruption ahead of next month's Clasico have also been raised. An unnamed match official was reported to have claimed he had been pressured by a member of Spain's referee's committee to try to sway the match in Real Madrid's favour.
In better news for Barca, the club confirmed record revenue figures for the 2014-15 season on Thursday, news of which is set to provide the club with sizable resources in the January transfer window and could also secure Neymar's future at Camp Nou.
And, following an important Champions League win over BATE, Ivan Rakitic – who scored both goals in the victory in Belarus – is determined for Barca to continue their current winning run.
"The most important thing was to help the team because it wasn't easy. We worked very well, we have to continue like this," he said.
Rakitic is one of six Barcelona players to have been named on FIFA's 23-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, for which Lionel Messi remains the current favourite.
Despite the Argentina star missing the game with Eibar due to a knee injury, club captain Dani Garcia expects a supremely tough test at Camp Nou and has challenged his team-mates to be brave on the ball.
"They have a lot of possession and, when we have the ball, it'll be a long way from their goal," Garcia said. "We have to play our own game and, when we have the ball, try to do brave things.
"Messi's absence gives us a few more opportunities but they still have great players, many of them nominated for the Ballon d'Or."
Iniesta returned to training this week after a hamstring injury but Sunday's game may come too quickly for the Spain star. Sergi Roberto (groin) will also miss out.
Eibar were dealt a blow by Friday's announcement that Adrian Gonzalez will miss four weeks with an adductor injury, while Ivan Ramis (hamstring) is also out. Antonio Luna is still working on his recovery from a hamstring issue of his own.
Eibar are on a five game run without defeat away from home in La Liga – their best ever record in the top flight – while Barca have lost twice in their last four league matches.
Sunday's visitors also have the lowest average possession (40.8 per cent) in the top flight this season. Barca (64.1 per cent) have the highest.
Atletico Madrid v Valencia: Atletico look to build momentum
23 October 2015 19:09
Atletico Madrid will look to build on a strong result in the Champions League when they host Valencia on Sunday.
Diego Simeone's side sit level with Benfica on six points in Group C having thumped Astana 4-0 in midweek, but their domestic performances this season have been slightly less impressive.
A run of one victory in three games has seen them slip to fourth place, albeit four points better off than Sunday night's visitors to the Vicente Calderon.
Jackson Martinez scored his first goal since August in the win against Astana, and Simeone hopes to see the Colombian playing with renewed confidence.
"A striker's position is different because in most cases they live off scoring goals," Simeone said.
"The way the players celebrated shows the commitment and the team spirit among the entire group. The goal will give him confidence and more belief in himself."
Valencia also come into the game boosted by a midweek Champions League victory - in their case over Gent.
And, although it was an own-goal that ultimately clinched the win against the Belgian side, Nuno's men are starting to look like a side on the up having won four of their last five games in all competitions.
A run of just one win in their opening five games had left them languishing in the lower reaches of the La Liga table, but they have since recovered some form to sit eighth.
Santi Mina looked lively during the Tuesday's clash with Gent and is keen to register his first goal in Valencia colours this weekend.
"Every stadium is good to get your first goal, including the Vicente Calderon," he said. "I want to score to help the team.
"We have to keep our focus because they are a very strong team who will put us under suffocating pressure.
"But if we play our game, move the ball quickly and have that bit of luck we've been lacking in front of goal in recent matches, we can do well.
"The players are calm, we know that if we keep working hard, it will come."
Liga chief brands Clasico corruption claims ´implausible´
23 October 2015 15:54
Claims of attempted corruption in November's Clasico clash in La Liga have been branded "implausible" by Javier Tebas, the president of Spain's Professional Football League (LFP).
Reported allegations from an unnamed assistant referee emerged this week, in which the official claimed to have been pressured by a member of the Referees Technical Committee to try to sway the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in favour of the capital club.
Sports Council (CSD) chief Miguel Cardenal urged the official in question to come forward on Thursday, saying: "Nobody, in Spain in 2015, should fear reprisal. They have the justice administration, the government, and the Sports Council at their disposal.
"Should he say what has happened, and make it known to the sports authorities, it would be taken completely seriously."
However, La Liga president Tebas says it is difficult to credit the claims because no match officials have yet been appointed for the encounter on November 21.
"The complaint sounds a little implausible, because the officials have not been appointed for that match yet," he said to Marca.
Tebas also talked about the investigation into FIFA vice-president Angel Maria Villar, which is understood to have been brought about by the FIFA ethics committee after he refused to cooperate with Michael Garcia's report into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
"It's not for doing the dirty work himself, but for failing to collaborate in finding out how the others did it," said Tebas
Xabi Alonso is confident he was right to leave Real Madrid for Bayern Munich last year.
The 33-year-old moved to the Allianz Arena in August 2014 after five years in the Spanish capital, winning the Bundesliga title last season under Pep Guardiola.
Alonso maintains the time was right to opt for a new challenge and denies he is considering bringing his playing career to an end in the near future.
"I think so," he told Bayern's official website when asked if he felt he had made the right decision. "I've really enjoyed being at the club so far. It's an excellent experience for me and I still hope to have more success this season than last.
"I feel as good as I have done before and I enjoy every minute on the pitch. If that wasn't the case, it would be the moment to stop. "
Alonso has now set his sights on emulating former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf by winning the Champions League with three different clubs.
"To win the Champions League with Bayern would be very special for me," said Alonso, who lifted the trophy in 2005 with Liverpool and 2014 with Madrid.
"It would be the third team I've won the trophy with, something that only Clarence Seedorf has managed to do to date.
"It would be something very special [to face Madrid], something exciting. I wore the white jersey for five years and I still have a close relationship with the club, and with the people there, just as I do with Liverpool."
La Liga Review: Barca go joint top, Sociedad buy Moyes time
26 October 2015 00:00
Luis Suarez netted a hat-trick and Javier Mascherano was sent off as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Eibar 3-1 in La Liga on Sunday, while Real Sociedad eased the pressure on under-fire coach David Moyes with a comprehensive win away to Levante that saw opposite number Lucas Alcaraz lose his job.
Minnows Eibar stunned Camp Nou by taking the lead through Borja Baston in the 10th minute, the in-form Atletico Madrid loanee tucking home a rebound from Keko's initial shot.
Suarez, on the first anniversary of his Barca debut, equalised in the 21st minute, heading home to complete a sweeping move involving Sergio Busquets and Sandro Ramirez.
The ex-Ajax and Liverpool man sent the hosts ahead for the first time in the game three minutes into the second half, firing home from inside the area after being set-up by Neymar. The Uruguayan completed his treble with five minutes remaining, receiving a deep cross at the back post, bringing it down and cutting inside to fire decisively past goalkeeper Asier Riesgo.
The only negative for Luis Enrique's reigning champions was the straight red card shown to Mascherano for apparent dissent in the 83rd minute, leaving the key defender facing the prospect of a suspension that could keep him out of El Clasico away to Real Madrid on November 21.
For now, though, the win sees Barca draw level with leaders Madrid on 21 points at the top of La Liga.
In the last kick-off of the day, Atletico defeated Valencia 2-1 at home to move to third spot, two points behind the joint leaders.
Two goals in the space of eight first-half minutes from Jackson Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco saw Diego Simeone's men take a comfortable lead into the half-time break at Estadio Vicente Calderon.
And, although Paco Alcacer pulled one back for Los Che from the penalty spot with 18 minutes to go, it was not enough for Nuno Espirito Santo's visitors to take anything from the game.
Earlier on Sunday, Sociedad secured an important three points away from home with a 4-0 win, a result that should earn former Everton manager Moyes a stay of execution amid reports his position is under threat.
Former Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela opened and completed the scoring for the Basque club, either side of goals from Imanol Agirretxe Arruti in the first half and Asier Illarramendi in the second.
The much-needed win, Sociedad's first in four attempts, lifted them to 14th, three points outside the relegation zone, while Levante, who ended the game with 10 men after Deyverson received a second yellow card in the 90th minute, are bottom and Alcaraz was dismissed later in the day.
Las Palmas, meanwhile, climbed to 18th at Levante's expense after they earned a point in a 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal.
'Anims Johan!' - Barcelona players support Cruyff with t-shirts
Oct 25, 2015 18:30:00
The players paraded orange t-shirts with 'Anims Johan' emblazoned across the front following the former player and manager's lung cancer diagnosis
By Alex Young
Barcelona players wore orange t-shirts in support of club legend Johan Cruyff, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
The 68-year-old, who won three consecutive European Cups with Ajax before playing and managing Barca was also recognised but fans who stood and applauded during the 14th minute of Sunday's win over Eibar, the former playmaker's shirt number throughout the majority of his playing career.
Cruyff lifted one La Liga title during a five-year stint at Barca, and, after a spell in charge of Ajax, he returned to Camp Nou to manage the Catalan giants. He won four successive Liga crowns while also leading what became known as 'The Dream Team' to European glory for the first time in the club's history in 1992.
Barcelona duo Suarez and Neymar rested for Copa del Rey clash
27 October 2015
Luis Enrique has left Luis Suarez and Neymar out of his 16-man Barcelona squad for the Copa del Rey clash with Villanovense.
The Catalan side travel to Extremadura to face the Segunda B club on Wendesday without the Uruguayan and Brazilian forwards – as well as the injured Lionel Messi.
However, the coach admitted he had hoped he would be able to leave out more first-team players.
"I would have liked to rest more players and not have to travel, but the standard is good and tomorrow you will see the 11," Luis Enrique said on Tuesday.
Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and Claudio Bravo will also stay at home, while Andres Iniesta has not yet fully recovered from a hamstring injury and is not included.
"Nothing strange has happened with Iniesta," Luis Enrique added. "We are not going to risk him. When players are in perfect condition this is when we feel they are available.
"When Andres says he feels 100 per cent is when he will be incorporated into the squad."
The Spaniard has included four Barcelona B players in his group for the fixture, with Gerard Gumbau, Sergi Samper, Aitor Cantalapiedra and Wilfrid Kaptoum all travelling.
"As much as I want to give possibilities for the B team, only four players can play," he said.
"There must always be seven first-team players on the pitch."
Lionel Messi will finish his career at Barcelona, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The superstar has been linked with a move away from the La Liga giants despite being contracted until mid-2018.
Bartomeu said the recent tax case against Messi, who was cleared, had an impact on the 28-year-old, but he feels the Argentina international will stay at Barca.
"Leo and his father said they don't imagine playing at another club than Barcelona," he told 8TV.
"The relationship with the family is very good. We are not in the negotiation phase yet, when the time comes it will be presented. He has contract for the next three seasons.
"Messi is very angry about the Spanish taxation. It is not normal the information published on Leo Messi. If his tax advisers have made a mistake they have to pay like everyone else. Messi deserves respect as all."
While Messi's contract is yet to be renewed, Barca are in the process of extending Neymar's stay.
Bartomeu said that was still a work in progress despite the Brazilian also having almost three years left on his deal.
"On the renewal of Neymar, this is the season of his renewal, yes," he said.
"But of course we try not to relay the negotiations and work quietly to be able to announce the extension of his contract."
Rodrigo out for three months with cruciate ligament damage
26 October 2015
Valencia forward Rodrigo is set for three months on the sidelines after the Liga club confirmed he has suffered a partial knee ligament tear.
Rodrigo limped out of the 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday with 23 minutes played at Estadio Vicente Calderon. The 24-year-old was replaced by Paco Alcacer, who scored Valencia's consolation in the 2-1 defeat.
Rodrigo impressed during a loan spell at Estadio Mestalla last season and secured a permanent move from Benfica in June, signing a four-year deal.
However, he has struggled in front of goal, with only one Champions League strike from his 12 appearances in all competitions, a strike rate that will not improve until 2016 with news of his latest injury.
"As indicated by the tests that have been submitted on Monday, Rodrigo suffered a partial tear in the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee," a Valencia statement read.
"The player will follow a conservative treatment. The estimated recovery time is at three months."
Laporta: Messi will never leave Barca but Neymar might
29 October 2015
Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to former president Joan Laporta, who believes Manchester United target Neymar might be sold.
Messi - sidelined with a knee injury - has been linked with a move to the Premier League after a tax case in Spain.
The Argentina captain is reportedly tired of the ongoing investigation.
Barca team-mate Neymar has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, a rumour that has not subsided since the transfer window shut last month.
Laporta was asked about the pair's future and the 53-year-old is convinced Messi will remain at Camp Nou but thinks Neymar might leave in order to balance the books.
"Messi will never leave Barca. It is part of our emblem and our heart," Laporta said.
"I received many proposals when I was president. Notably Inter, who wanted to pay his release clause but I always refused.
"For Neymar, it's different. The economic situation of the club is not good, but the current president, to balance the books must sell players or assets. And the best solution is to sell a great player.
"There is talk of a proposal for Man United. But all that, it is because of the mismanagement of the current leadership."
Zinedine Zidane says that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are staying put at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo has recently been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu and back to the Premier League with Manchester United, the club where he first made his name.
But Madrid great Zidane, who won the Champions League with the club in 2002, has insisted that Ronaldo and Bale will not be leaving the Spanish capital.
"No, he [Ronaldo] is not for sale, it wouldn't make sense," the former France international told ShortList.
"Big players are what people want to read about, so that is why they are written about, but why would Real Madrid have any intention of selling the best player in the world?
"Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best player in the world for the past few years, and he knows he is the best.
"It doesn't mean that he doesn't work hard, or that he doesn't want to improve and get better, but he has that confidence where he knows how good he is.
"I was not the most prolific goalscorer, but I knew how good I was. I knew that I could read the game and see things one or two seconds quicker than everybody else."
Wales star Bale has experienced a mixed start to his career at Madrid, with injuries and a drop in form last season generating speculation about his future with the club.
Zidane, though, is certain that the former Tottenham winger will also be remaining at Madrid for the foreseeable future.
"Of course clubs are going to want Gareth, he is one of the best in the world, but I am not sure how much clearer we can be," maintained Zidane, who is currently the manager of Real Madrid's reserve side.
"Gareth has made it clear, his agent has made it clear, we have made it clear, his future is at Real Madrid. We sign the best players in the world, we don't sell them."
Getafe v Barcelona: Depleted champions aim to keep pace with Real
29 October 2015
Barcelona visit Getafe hoping to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga despite their growing list of absentees.
The Catalan club are level with leaders Real on 21 points and are unbeaten in their last four games and - with the first Clasico of the season just over three weeks away - can ill-afford a slip-up ahead of next month's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barca travel to Madrid this weekend, and do so on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw played out by a youthful side in Wednesday's Copa del Rey last-32 first-leg clash with third-tier Villanovense, which ended a run of three straight wins.
Prior to that stalemate, Barca had been in excellent form, with Luis Suarez and Neymar making up for the absence of Lionel Messi - who has not played since September 26 because of a knee injury.
Neymar netted four in a 5-2 defeat of Rayo Vallecano earlier this month as Barca responded excellently to a 2-1 loss at Sevilla, and - after Ivan Rakitic had inspired a 2-0 Champions League victory at BATE - Suarez scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph against Eibar.
However, versatile midfielder Javier Mascherano is suspended for two games following his red card in the game with Eibar.
Messi and long-term absentee Rafinha (knee) remain out of action. Meanwhile, Getafe, who sit 13th with just 10 points from nine games, are without Carlos Vigaray after the defender was sent off in their 5-0 hammering at the hands of Sevilla.
Striker Alvaro Vazquez (hamstring) is also likely to be unavailable for the hosts and Alvaro Medran is not expected to be back until February after fracturing his shin for the second time in six months.
There is good news for Getafe, however, with midfielder Angel Lafita in contention to return from a groin injury, although defender Alexis is a doubt with a knee problem picked up in training.
Getafe have not beaten Barca since 2011 but did hold Luis Enrique's men to a 0-0 draw in the corresponding fixture last season.
But Neymar and Suarez - who have 15 league goals between them this campaign - were both on target in the 6-0 drubbing of Getafe at Camp Nou last term, and stopping the in-form duo will be key to the hosts doing neighbours Real a favour.
Real Madrid v Las Palmas: Benitez´s men out to maintain unbeaten status
29 October 2015
Real Madrid will be looking to maintain their unbeaten status when they take on Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday.
Rafael Benitez's men are one of only three teams in the top five European leagues yet to lose this season, alongside Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, and they will be confident of extending their unbeaten run at the weekend.
Madrid have never lost a home game against Las Palmas, emerging victorious on 27 occasions and drawing the remaining four encounters.
Additionally, they have scored in all league games at home against the Canary Islands outfit, averaging three and a half goals per game, and their joint-biggest margin of victory in La Liga came against Las Palmas; 10-1 in January 1959 (level with their 11-2 win over Elche in 1960).
Madrid have now gone 19 La Liga games without defeat and they are yet to concede a first-half goal this season.
This weekend's encounter provides Cristiano Ronaldo with the opportunity to score in three La Liga games in succession for the first time since April, having found the net versus Levante and Celta Vigo.
Benitez will likely have to make do without the services of Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal due to respective calf, shoulder and ankle injuries, but Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez seem set to make their comebacks.
Meanwhile, Las Palmas head coach Quique Setien is adamant his team will not be pushovers at the Bernabeu.
"Real Madrid allow teams to create chances against them," Setien told reporters.
"[Goalkeeper] Keylor Navas has been one of their best players. That gives us hope that we can cause them problems."
Midfielder Nauzet Aleman, meanwhile, realises Las Palmas face a tough task at the Bernabeu, but he is hopeful they can get a positive result.
"Real Madrid are the most in-form team in the world at the moment, but we will give all we have," he told reporters.
"It's very complicated to get a win there, but I'm a non-conformist and very competitive so I wouldn't even settle for a point."
Las Palmas will have to be at their best, though, if they are to get a result on Saturday.
Dating back to their last top-flight appearance in 2001-02, they have now gone 14 La Liga away games without a victory, drawing five, while losing the other nine.
Setien will have to make do without the services of Antolin Alcaraz and Angel Lopez due to injury, while Wakaso Mubarak has been left out of the squad, despite returning from suspension.
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has pleaded guilty to tax evasion after appearing at a Spanish court on Thursday.
The Argentina star was accused of failing to alert Spanish authorities to earnings totalling more than €1.5million, reports said.
Mascherano is alleged to have used companies he owns in Portugal and the United States to cover up two payments for image rights in 2011 and 2012.
A spokesman for Mascherano told Argentine news agency Telam: "The defendant acknowledged the facts and his responsibility for tax evasion."
Claims in the Spanish press said that Mascherano has already paid €1.5m to the tax office with a further €200,000 in interest, and it is thought that by pleading guilty he will avoid a prison sentence.
La Liga Review: Celta leave it late as Barca and Madrid pull clear
31 October 2015
Real Madrid and Barcelona sit three points clear at the top of La Liga following routine victories against Las Palmas and Getafe respectively on Saturday.
Following Atletico Madrid's draw with Deportivo La Coruna on Friday, Madrid and Barca took their chance to apply pressure at the top with the latter easing to a 3-1 success at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo gave the hosts a two-goal cushion 15 minutes in before Hernan reduced the arrears. Jese Rodriguez completed the scoring before half-time with Barca joining them on 24 points later in the day.
Following defeats on the road to Sevilla and Celta Vigo, Barca were seeking to avoid losing a third away game on the spin in the league for the first time since 2002.
And Sergi Roberto proved crucial as the midfielder supplied the assists for Luis Suarez and Neymar in Madrid - ensuring Luis Enrique's men continue to pick up points in Lionel Messi's injury-enforced absence.
Fellow high-flyers Villarreal briefly went fourth after they beat Sevilla prior to Celta Vigo's dramatic 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad.
Sevilla were in fine form ahead of their trip to El Madrigal but goals from Mario and Cedric Bakambu put the hosts in control prior to Fernando Llorente's consolation 14 minutes from time.
That put Villarreal in the top four ahead of Celta's trip to the Anoeta, which saw the visitors twice fall behind before fighting back to earn a victory.
Iago Aspas twice cancelled out Imanol Agirretxe before Pablo Hernandez scored a minute from time to send Celta back third.
In the local derby at the Mestalla, Valencia ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against rock-bottom Levante courtesy of goals from Paco Alcacer, Sofiane Feghouli and Zakaria Bakkali.
