Two penalties, converted by Iniesta and Fabregas, and goals from Sanchez and Pedro were sufficient to see Barcelona cruise past Granada on Saturday evening. Granada were reduced to ten men in the 66th minute when Chilean midfielder Iturra was ordered from the pitch after picking up a second booking.

A hat-trick for Ronaldo, one from the penalty spot, one from Benzema and one from Khedira saw Real Madrid cruise past Real Sociedad 5-1, Griezmann replying for the visitors.

Granada are up to eighth place in La Liga, albeit probably temporarily, after a decisive 3-1 victory over Málaga on Friday night, El Arabi grabbing himself a hat-trick and Juanmi getting a consolation goal for the Blue and Whites.

Nine yellow and one red card as Atlético beat Athletico Bilbao 2-0 with goals from David Villa and Diego Costa.

Real Madrid were cruising at 0-3 after two goals from Ronaldo and one from Benzema, but two penalties within three minutes, both converted by Jonathan Viera, brought bottom club Rayo Vallecano back into the match.

A 68th minute goal from Alexis Sanchez against Espanyol on Friday night was enough to see Barcelona stretch their unbeaten run to twelve games. Barca are four points clear of Atletico Madrid, who host Bilbao on Sunday.

Málaga are continuing their slide down towards the wrong end of the table and the danger zone, only managing a 0-0 draw against Espanyol on Tuesday evening.

Oliver Torres scored with almost the first kick of the game after fifteen seconds and Gabi found the net with the last kick of the match. In between, David Villa (2) and Diego Costa bagged three more as Atlético Madrid were comfortable 5-0 winners against Real Betis.