Real Madrid CF held off the challenge of high-flying Club Atlético de Madrid to win the capital derby, on a day when FC Barcelona set yet another Liga record.

After 13 years and 24 matches, Atlético remain without a league victory against their neighbours following tonight's 2-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid on their way with a free-kick after a quarter of an hour and the result was sealed by Mesut Özil on 66 minutes. For second-placed Atlético, this was only a second reverse of the campaign. José Mourinho's men duly move within five points of the Rojiblancos, though still fully 11 adrift of Barcelona.

With a 5-1 thrashing of Athletic Club, the Blaugrana made it 13 wins from their opening 14 games of the Liga season, a top-flight record to surpass what had been, till now, Madrid's competition best of 1991/92. Athletic found Tito Vilanova's team in irresistible form: Gerard Piqué, Fernando Amorebieta with an own goal and Adriano had the visitors foundering by half-time, before Cesc Fàbregas and Lionel Messi completed the scoring. Ibai Gómez offered Athletic's sole reply.

Saturday's other big story was Valencia CF's 5-2 home loss to Real Sociedad de Fútbol, which has resulted in the sacking of coach Mauricio Pellegrino. Alberto De La Bella, Mikel González, Diego Ifrán, Imanol Agirretxe and Carlos Vela piled on the misery for 12th-placed Valencia at the Mestalla, with Roberto Soldado's double being no consolation to the hosts.

Elsewhere, Alberto Lopo's header helped Getafe CF to a 1-0 home success over Málaga CF – and up to sixth spot – while CA Osasuna edged past Rayo Vallecano de Madrid by the same scoreline.