Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde made 10 changes to his starting team from the side that beat Manchester United in the Champions League, as they drew 0-0 at Huesca.
Second place Atletico Madrid beat relegation battling Celta Vigo 2-0 at home, with goals from Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata keeping them nine points behind the Catalan side.
Champions League chasing Getafe had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Real Valladolid, thanks to Jorge Molina's late penalty, with Sevilla leapfrogging them into the top four as they beat Real Betis 3-2 in the city derby.
Valencia moved up into sixth place with a comfortable 3-1 win at the Mestalla against Levante, with Athletic Bilbao into seventh following a 3-2 home win over Rayo Vallecano.
Villarreal eased their own relegation worries with a 1-0 win at Girona, thanks to Samuel Chukwueze's goal and Espanyol beat Alaves 2-1 in a mid table clash.