Atletico Madrid missed the chance to go above Barcelona ahead of the Catalans' clash with Real Betis later tonight as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Villarreal.
An own goal from Mario Gaspar gave the visitors an lead but Juanfran also put through his own net 11 minutes from time to gift Villarreal a point.
Valencia had to come from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Real Valladolid but will consider it two points lost after dominating possession and creating the better chances, as well as missing an early penalty.
Ever Banega skied a spot-kick after five minutes and Javier Guerra then gave the visitors the lead against the run of play.
Dorlan Pabon equalized for Valencia just before the half-hour mark but Gilberto Alcaraz put Valladolid ahead again early in the second half.
Sophiane Feghouli equalized on 76 minutes and Pabon had a chance to win it, but in the end Valencia were grateful to goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, who made two saves late in the game to allow his side to cling on to a point.
Sevilla halted a two-match losing streak with an impressive 3-1 victory at 10-man Espanyol to move above the struggling Catalan club in the table.
Los Rojiblancos had suffered back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in recent weeks but made an ideal start at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat as Federico Fazio and Machin Vitolo put them two goals to the good inside the first 10 minutes.
The home side's captain Sergio Garcia pulled one back midway through the first half but Carlos Bacca restored Sevilla's two-goal lead and it proved decisive.
