Reigning champions Atletico Madrid returned to third position in La Liga with a 2-0 win over Granada.

Valencia struggled past Almeria 3-2 to keep up their hopes of a top four finish. Parejo, Rodgrigo and Negredo scored for Valencia, Hemed striking twice for the visitors.

Goals for Neymar, Suarez and Messi as Barcelona won 3-1 against Atlético Madrid on Sunday to stay one point behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Despite having to play with just ten men for over forty minutes after Coentrao was sent packing, Real Madrid still managed to beat Espanyol by three goals to nil.

An own goal from Jordi Alba after just two minutes scuppered Barcelona’s attempt to take pole position in La Liga as they lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid’s record 22-match winning streak was brought to an end on Sunday by Valencia, who came from behind to grab the three points.

Málaga began the New Year by dropping three points, losing 1-2 to Almeria.

Málaga had to come from behind to beat Elche, eventually winning 1-2 after goals from Camacho and Luis Alberto.

Luis Suarez scored his first La Liga goal as Barcelona hammered Córdoba 5-0 on Saturday in their last game before the winter break.

Barcelona may have lost two points as they try to keep up with leaders Real Madrid but Atlético went one further and lost all three points, losing 0-1 to Villarreal.