Ten-man FC Barcelona overcame Real Sporting de Gijón to cut Real Madrid CF's lead at the top to seven points, with Los Merengues in action on Sunday against RCD Espanyol.

Barcelona's Andrés Iniesta grabbed his first league goal of the season to open the scoring three minutes before the break. However, Gerard Piqué saw red early in the second half (46) and the visitors looked to be in the ascendancy when David Barral equalised (49) shortly afterwards. Sporting Gijón failed to make the most of their numerical advantage, though, and they were punished as Seydou Keita (79) and Xavi Hernández (87) earned Josep Guardiola's side maximum points.

Málaga CF are up to fourth place, three points behind Valencia CF, after coming from behind to beat Getafe CF by the same scoreline. Second-half strikes by Eliseu (57), Jérémy Toulalan (82) and Santiago Cazorla (90+2) sealed the win. Rayo Vallecano de Madrid were even further behind against Real Racing Club, but cancelled out their two-goal deficit with a Michu double (45, 64) and efforts by Raûl Tamudo (67) and Piti (72). RCD Mallorca and CA Osasuna, meanwhile, shared a 1-1 draw as did Club Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla FC in the day's late game.