Third-placed Villarreal CF moved within five points of the leaders as they earned an impressive 3-0 victory at Real Zaragoza but RCD Espanyol remain on their tail after winning 3-2 at Club Atlético de Madrid.

Two goals inside 18 minutes put the Yellow Submarine in command, Marcos Senna (9) opening the scoring before Santi Cazorla doubled their advantage, and the points were made safe on 65 minutes when Zaragoza's Matteo Contini was dismissed and Nilmar added a third.

Espanyol are still two points further back after an impressive win in the capital. Luis García's penalty was cancelled out by Tiago on the stroke of half-time, but Joan Verdú (53) and Pablo Osvaldo (78) scored either side of Sergio Agüero's effort (66) to ensure a second away win of the season for Los Periquitos.

Seventh-placed Sevilla FC are now seven points behind Villarreal after losing 3-1 at home to Getafe CF. The hosts took the lead when Ndri Romaric crossed and Frédéric Kanouté (30) drove in his finish but the second half spawned quite a turnaround. Manu (57) levelled from the penalty spot after Abdoulay Konko's handball, Miku (59) made it 2-1 and Pedro Ríos rifled in the clincher to lift Getafe to ninth.

Results

Standings

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