Athletic Bilbao moved within two points of fourth-placed Villarreal in La Liga as Raul Garcia's goal midway through the second half proved the difference at San Mames.
Villarreal had only lost one of their previous 11 league games but slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Bilbao, and arguably the home side could have had more, with Inaki Williams hitting a post minutes before Garcia struck from close range.
Athletic moved up one place to seventh, and are now only four points behind Sevilla in third, after a game which only came alive in the second half.
Inigo Martinez scored a fabulous free kick as Real Sociedad beat Sporting Gijon 3-1 away to make it five wins in six league matches.
Xabi Prieto put the visitors in front but Sporting went in level at the break through Duje Cop's strike.
David Zurutuza restored Sociedad's lead before Martinez stole the show with a curling left-foot set piece which gave Sporting goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar no chance.
Sociedad climbed up to fifth in the table with the victory, while Sporting remain in the bottom three and face a tough trip to the Estadio Bernabeu to face league leaders Real Madrid next weekend.
Nani rescued a 1-1 draw for Valencia and denied rock-bottom Granada a first league win of the season.
Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez fired Granada in front before half-time, racing between two defenders before lifting his shot over Diego Alves.
But Portugal international Nani struck immediately after the break, slotting home after being teed up by Daniel Parejo.
Espanyol extended their unbeaten run to six matches after they snatched a 1-0 victory in a fiery game with Alaves.
Seven yellow cards were shown in a cagey clash which looked to be heading for a draw after Fernando Pacheco saved a late penalty from Gerard Moreno.
But the striker redeemed himself by heading home the only goal of the game nine minutes from time to steal all three points for Quique Sanchez Flores' side.