Valencia overcame direct rivals Sevilla 3-1 at the Mestalla to move ahead of Unai Emery's side and into fourth spot in the Primera Division on Sunday evening.
Dani Parejo gave the hosts the lead through a 20th-minute penalty and not long after doubled their advantage following a counter-attack.
Carlos Bacca pulled one back for Sevilla from another spot-kick, but was then denied from 12 yards by penalty-saving expert Diego Alves, and 10 minutes after the break Javi Fuego restored the hosts' two-goal cushion.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side moved two points clear of Sevilla, who have a game - albeit a daunting trip to Real Madrid - in hand.
Javi Guerra's strike 12 minutes from time ensured Malaga claimed a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, whose four-game losing streak in the Primera Division was brought to a halt.
Guerra's strike came just eight minutes after defender Mikel San Jose had given Bilbao the lead.
It was the second time the teams had drawn against each other in a week, following on from their stalemate in the Copa del Rey at La Rosaleda.
The teams will return to San Mames on Thursday, when there must be a winner as both sides target a place in the last four of Spain's cup competition.
Christian Stuani scored a brace and Felipe Caicedo was on target yet again to give Espanyol a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling Almeria.
Stuani struck twice in the space of three minutes towards the end of the first half and then after the break substitute Caicedo hit a fifth goal in four matches to put the game beyond doubt and seal a fourth consecutive home win for the Catalans in all competitions.
New Granada coach Abel Resino saw his side snatch a late point away to relegation rivals Deportivo La Coruna as his first match in charge ended in a 2-2 draw.
Piti had given Granada a sixth-minute lead but Depor turned the game around with two goals in the space of five minutes from Jose Rodriguez and Lucas Perez, and they seemed well set for the three points.
However, Robert Ibanez struck with seven minutes left and Depor finished the match with 10 men after Luis Farina was sent off in the closing stages.