Barcelona let a lead slip to allow their great rivals Real Madrid to leapfrog over them in the league and go into 'El Clasico' one point ahead. The first half saw Barcelona display their usual fluidity in attack, with Messi and Pedro particularly busy, but they clearly lacked the leadership and reference that injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic brings. Atheltic were in determined mood, summed up by Fran Yeste's industrious performance in the heart of the Bilbao midfield. Barca went ahead in the 53rd minute with a sublime Xavi throughball finding Dani Alves' run, who cooly slotted past Iraizoz. But Barcelona failed to create much more thereafter and were made to pay when a defensive lapse allowed Toquero to smash emphatically past Valdés. Things got worse for Barcelona when Lionel Messi limped off, and he is now a serious doubt for the clash against Madrid. Testing times for Guardiola's men who now face two massive ties in the next week.Real Madrid 1 - 0 Racing Santander (Santiago Bernabeu)
Real Madrid eased more pressure off Manuel Pelligrini and ensured they would arrive to the Camp Nou as league leaders after a hard-fought win against Racing Santander. It certainly wasn't a vintage performance from 'Los Merengues', who surprisingly started with Raúl on the bench, but they will be more than happy with the three points. Miguel Portugal's side pushed Madrid to the limit and can be proud of a determined display, in which they had a perfectly legal goal ruled out for offside late on. But they succumbed to a goal in the 22nd minute which ended up settling the match in Real's favour. A Kaká cross had caused panic in the Santander box and when Garay eventually headed a loose ball towards goal, Higuaín was on hand to tap in. Another priceless goal from the Argentine forward, who has a knack of scoring when it matters most. Karim Benzema had a goal disallowed and a valid penalty turned down, but another indifferent display will do little to convince the Bernabeu of his promise.Deportivo La Coruña 2 - 1 Atlético Madrid (Riazor)
Depor continued their impressive league form and pushed themselves into the Champions League positions with a late victory against a poor Atletico Madrid. Forlán was expected to partner Agüero upfront but was left on the subs bench, following his long journey after helping Uruguay to the World Cup. But his partner wasted no time in putting 'Los Colchoneros' ahead in the 3rd minute when 'El Kun' nipped the ball off a dallying defender to race into the box and shoot across Aranzubia. But from the on it was wave after wave of attacks from the home side as Asenjo's goal was constantly under siege. Coruña centre back Colloto took advantage of some slack marking to nod home a corner in the 20th minute, but they had to wait until the 95th for the winner. The Atletico players went apoplectic when the ref pointed the spot after Pablo uprooted Lopo, but the decision was the correct one and Guardado kept his cool to send Asenjo the wrong way and shoot Depor ever further up La Liga.Tenerife 1 - 2 Sevilla (Heliodoro)
Tenerife showed they have enough fight and passion to survive in 'La Liga' this year, but their lack of firepower will seriously worry coach Oltra as they fight against relegation. Sevilla showed glimpses of their undoubted class, and in the end it was two moments of quality that earned them the win. A lightning burst from Jesus Navas gave him enough space to provide a perfect ball across goal which gave winger Perotti the simple task of stroking the ball into the net with half an hour gone. Just after half-time Renato put them 2-0 up with a sweet strike from just outside the area which went in off the post. Tenerife edged back into the match after 75 minutes when Nino scored with a well-taken volley, but an injury-hit Sevilla hung on to clinch another vital three points in their three-way dogfight at the top with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
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