Real Sociedad re-established their two-point lead at the top of the Spanish first division with a composed 2-0 victory at home to Osasuna.
Sociedad, without a win in three matches and under pressure following Real Madrid's victory at home to Valladolid on Saturday, recovered their poise with goals from Darko Kovacevic and Mikel Alonso.
The result gave the Basques 47 points from 23 games and took them back ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on 45.
Valencia kept pace with the top two, joining Real Madrid on 45 points with a spectacular 4-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.
Miguel Angel Angulo put Valencia ahead on 12 minutes with a break from midfield and neat finish and Viktor Onopko turned a Juan Sanchez cross into his own net to provide the second.
Ruben Baraja's free kick made it 3-0 just before the break, Mista added a fourth from close range on 59 minutes and the reigning champions, who stay third behind Real Madrid on goal difference, finished at a canter.
Deportivo la Coruna and Barcelona were also in free-scoring form in matches played on Saturday.
Depor remain fourth on 42 points after a 6-0 demolition of Alaves, Diego Tristan leading the way with a hat-trick.
Fast-improving Barcelona also had hat-trick man in Javier Saviola in their 4-0 success at home to Real Betis, a result that took the Catalans up to eighth on 30 points.
In other matches played on Sunday, bottom club Recreativo Huelva beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 to give a boost to their faint hopes of avoiding the drop, while Racing Santander scored their third successive victory, 3-0 away to Villarreal.
Reuters