Real Madrid responded to Barcelona's Saturday success by beating Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday.
Needing a win to move back to within two points of the Primera Division leaders, Carlo Ancelotti's men fell behind early but, boosted by a brace from man of the moment Javier Hernandez, got the job done.
Nolito put Celta ahead before Toni Kroos and Hernandez nudged Real in front. Santi Mina equalised but James Rodriguez got the European champions into a lead which would then be improved by Hernandez's second.
Real host Almeria in midweek while Barcelona are at home to Getafe, and the chances are they will go like-for-like again, but Ancelotti's side at least showed they are in the fight with this come-from-behind win.
First-half goals from Vicente Iborra and Daniel Carrico lifted Sevilla up to fourth place with a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
Iborra fired an 18th minute opener from an assist by Diogo Figueiras and Carrico doubled the home side's advantage with a header from a Denis Suarez cross two minutes before the break.
The win lifts Sevilla above Valencia, who face relegation-threatened Granada on Monday night.
