A Zinedine Zidane volley and two late goals from Raul earned Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-1 win at home to Racing Santander.
Israeli striker Yossi Benayoun gave Racing a deserved leadin the 16th minute, firing in on the turn after Fernando Moranhad created the opening.
Racing passed the ball better than their illustriousopponents and created a string of chances but they failed toextend their lead and paid the price in the 27th minute whenZidane smacked in a Ronaldo cross from the edge of the area.
Racing continued to play the better football but they werehit twice on the break in the last 12 minutes by Raul.
Victory for Real gave them 19 points from eight matches andtook them up to second place, behind Valencia on goaldifference.
Malaga survived a late fightback from Real Zaragoza to claim a 2-1 home winon Saturday.
A near-post header from Litos in the 28th minute and a SalvaBallesta penalty in the final minute of the first-half gave thehome side a comfortable lead going into the break.
Zaragoza hardly created a chance in the second period beforeGoran Drulic reduced the arrears with two minutes left of normaltime.
The visitors poured forward but the Malaga defence camethrough a couple of nervous moments to secure a victory thattakes them up to 10th place.
Valencia are looking to move three points clear with a winaway to Deportivo Coruna in Saturday's late game. Victory forDeportivo, third with 18 points, would be enough to take themtop of the table.