Real Madrid kept up their title hopes with a 3-1 win over Sporting Gijón but it was the visitors who scored first through Barral at the start of the second half.
Their lead only lasted one minute, though, as Van der Vaart grabbed an equaliser. Xabi Alonso put Real Madrid into the lead and Higuaín wrapped things up with a stylish, individual effort.
Osvaldo grabbed a brace as Espanyol beat Sevilla 2-0 and Deportivo drop out of the top six after losing 0-2 to Valladolid, Nauzet and Medunjanin the scorers.
Two goals from Baha stopped the rot for Málaga C.F., the Blue and Whites beating Villarreal 2-0 at La Rosaleda. Both goals came in the second half.
CD Nerja moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-2 win over CD Barrio in the Primera Andaluza Grupo 3 on Sunday evening.
Leaders Alhaurin de la Torre were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by Úbeda but are still nine points clear. Second placed Martos CD failed to take full advantage, drawing 1-1 at Atletic Marbelli.