Saturday 21 January 2017 23:21, UK
Valencia moved further clear of the La Liga relegation zone with a second straight win, beating Villarreal 2-0 at El Madrigal on Saturday.
Carlos Soler and Santi Mina both scored just before half-time as the visitors were able to build on last week's win over Espanyol.
But the result highlighted the current problems at Villarreal, who, despite their position, have now gone three league games without a win.
Sergio Ramos scored twice as Real Madrid returning to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Malaga.
Espanyol piled more misery on Granada, beating them 3-1 to leave the visitors four points adrift of safety.
Jose Antonio Reyes netted his second goal of the season in the 11th minute, before Andrea Pereira levelled for Granada 10 minutes later.
However, Pablo Piatti and Marc Navarro scored either side of half-time as Espanyol strolled to a comfortable win that sees them rise into the top half of the table.
Leganes came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away to Alaves.
Victor Laguardia's 11th-minute opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Miguel Angel Guerrero on the stroke of half-time.
Edgar Mendez put Alaves back in front but Pablo Insua's 84th minute equaliser helped Leganes' own survival hopes.