Brief reports of Primera Liga matches played on Sunday:
ATLETICO MADRID 1 ATHLETIC BILBAO 0
Struggling Bilbao looked to have done enough to earn a valuable away point at the Calderon, but striker Fernando Torres inflicted a first defeat in seven games on the Basques when he headed in after a free kick eight minutes from time.
Bilbao, who have never been out of the top flight, are one of five teams lying within two points of the relegation zone.
GETAFE 1 REAL MADRID 1
Real lost valuable ground to Valencia in the race for second place with this draw against their modest neighbours who could have emerged victors had it not been for some fine keeping from Iker Casillas.
Real took the lead against the run of play when Julio Baptista drilled in from the edge of the area on the hour, but defender Manuel Tena gave Getafe a deserved equaliser when he headed in a Cosmin Contra free kick seven minutes from time.
OSASUNA 1 MALAGA 1
Basement side Malaga deserved more than a point from this one, but their run of bad luck continued when they fell behind to a controversial penalty, Osasuna skipper Patxi Punal converting after David Lopez appeared to dive in the area.
Former Osasuna player Richard Morales levelled nine minutes from time when he pounced on a loose header from Cesar Cruchaga, but the Andalucians ended the game with 10 men after striker Salva Ballesta was dismissed in the final minute.
REAL BETIS 0 CELTA VIGO 2
Celta continued their drive for a place in Europe with this confident win over struggling Betis who are by no means clear of danger despite losing just one of their last seven matches.
Midfielder Jorge put Celta in front with a sweet first-time shot in the first half and striker Jesus Perera made sure of the points when he tucked home after bursting through the middle of the Betis defence a minute from time.
REAL ZARAGOZA 1 CADIZ 2
Cadiz gave themselves renewed hope of avoiding the drop with this comeback win against losing King's Cup finalists Zaragoza.
Br azilian forward Savio put Zaragoza ahead when he smacked in from 20 metres, but Argentine forward Lucas Lobos sparked the Cadiz revival when he equalised from the penalty spot just before half time.
Fellow countryman Matias Pavoni grabbed the winner two minutes into the second half when he chested the ball down in the area and then toe-poked into the net after a Lobos cross.
VALENCIA 4 ESPANYOL 0
Valencia tightened their grip on second spot in the table with this crushing victory over King's Cup winners Espanyol, who remain in trouble.
Leading striker David Villa took his tally for the season to 19 when he netted from the penalty spot just before the break and Espanyol suffered another setback when midfielder Eduardo Costa was sent off on the hour.
Argentine centre-back Roberto Ayala made it 2-0 with a fine header and substitute Mista stopped low to nod in the third just three minutes later.
Midfielder Ruben Baraja wrapped up when he cracked home a half-volley after a corner four minutes from time.
Played Saturday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 SEVILLA 0
Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop and opposite number Jose Molina produced top-class saves to keep the forwards at bay and the scores level in a duel between two UEFA Cup hopefuls.
Palop produced a stunning reflex save low to his left to stop a close-range effort from Xisco in the second half and Jose Molina did almost as well to get a hand to a sharp shot from Javier Saviola moments later.
REAL MALLORCA 0 ALAVES 0
A goalless stalemate between the two Primera Liga strugglers at Son Moix that did little for their chances of survival.
Alaves had the better of the first half and should have taken the lead when striker Rodolfo Bodipo was put clear in the area, but he failed to beat Mallorca keeper Toni Prats.
Mallorca took control in the second half but could not break down a dogged defence and midfielder Guillermo Pereyra planted a looping header onto the bar with their best chance of the match.
REAL SOCIEDAD 1 RACING SANTANDER 0
Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez earned Sociedad a priceless win that lifted them out of the relegation zone with a spectacular left-foot volley 15 minutes from time in a nervous encounter at Anoeta.
Gonzalez, on loan from Liverpool after he was refused a work permit to play in England, cracked the ball low into the corner after a clearance had ballooned towards him outside the area.
Played Friday:
BARCELONA 1 VILLARREAL 0
Samuel Eto'o struck his 24th goal of the season for this win over their fellow Champions League semi-finalists that took Barcelona a step closer to retaining the title.
Receiving the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, the Cameroon striker feinted one way then turned the other before firing home in the 11th minute.
Villarreal, who fielded a shadow team ahead of next week's first leg match at Arsenal, have won just once in their last seven outings and their best chance of playing in the Champions League next season now lies in winning the competition.