Antoine Griezmann scored his fifth goal of the season as Atletico Madrid beat 10-man Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 to move to third in LaLiga.
Deportivo had Morocco midfielder Faycal Fajr sent off just before half-time following two quick bookings.
France striker Griezmann tapped home after good approach play from Kevin Gameiro with 20 minutes left, which was enough to see Diego Simeone's side close to within a point of Barcelona and two behind leaders Real Madrid.
In Sunday's early kick-off, Valencia came from behind to win 2-1 away at newly-promoted Leganes.
Los Che, who sacked coach Pako Ayesteran on Tuesday before recording a first victory of the season against Alaves on Thursday, were behind after 21 minutes when Alexander Szymanowski headed in at the back post.
Valencia, though, were level on 34 minutes when former Manchester United winger Nani netted his first goal for the club, netting a loose ball following Rodrigo's challenge on Leganes goalkeeper Jon Ander Serantes.
The visitors secured victory in the second half, when, on 52 minutes, Mario Suarez converted a low cross from Portugal midfielder Nani, signed from Turkish club Fenerbahce in the summer.
Villarreal later moved up to fourth place with a 3-1 win over struggling Osasuna at El Madrigal, where all of the goals came in an action-packed first half.
The Yellow Submarine, one of only three teams in LaLiga still unbeaten, took the lead after just five minutes through a header from Alexandre Pato, with Bruno Soriano doubling the hosts' advantage from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.
Italy forward Nicola Sansone chipped in a third goal on 39 minutes, with a penalty from Osasuna midfielder Roberto Torres on the stroke of half-time proving little consolation for the visitors, who remain bottom with just two points.
Sunday's evening kick-off saw a dramatic finish at RCDE Stadium, where Celta Vigo scored twice in injury time to grab a 2-0 win over Espanyol.
Just when it looked like the visitors had done enough to earn a draw in a match of few clear-cut chances, Giuseppe Rossi, the Italian forward on loan from Fiorentina, chipped a delightful finish in off the crossbar.
There was still time left for Danish midfielder Pione Sisto to charge the length of the pitch through a tired Espanyol defence and drill the ball low into the bottom corner from 22 yards to record Celta Vigo's second win of the week which sees them climb to 11th and leaves the hosts now in 18th place.
