Málaga, somewhat isolated in seventh place in La Liga, managed to beat bottom club Córdoba 2-0 on Sunday with goals from Juanmi and Amrabat.
The Blue and Whites are 8 points ahead of Athletic Club Bilbao but 5 points behind Villarreal and 8 behind fifth-placed Sevilla.
Almeria and Villarreal played out a 0-0 draw, the result doing neither side any great favours. Athletic Bilbao were 0-2 winners at Celta de Vigo, Aduriz and San José scoring for the visitors, Lamvey pulling one back for the home side.