Leaders Real Madrid beat their arch-rivals and closest challengers Barcelona 1-0 at the Nou Camp to take a vice-like hold on the Primera Liga title race last night.
Julio Baptista's well-taken first-half goal secured the Spanish champions only their second league victory in 24 years at Barca's ground, ended the Catalans' 100 per cent home record this season, and sent them seven points clear at the top.
Real looked sharper throughout while Barcelona appeared paralysed with nerves and offered little once their visitors had edged ahead.
Bernd Schuster, after his first 'clasico' as coach, goes into the mid-season break sitting pretty with 41 points. Barca are second with 34.
Earlier, Espanyol came from behind to beat nine-man Atletico Madrid 2-1 away to climb to third on 33.
Portugal's Simao Sabrosa had given Atletico a first-half lead with a superb free-kick, despite them being down to 10 men following the red card shown to their Argentine top scorer Sergio Aguero.
Raul Tamudo levelled just after the restart and with Atletico reduced to nine soon after when Mariano Pernia was dismissed, Luis Garcia raced on to Ivan de la Pena's pass to strike the winner with five minutes left.
Villarreal, who were held 1-1 at home by Recreativo Huelva, are fourth with 32, one ahead of Atletico who slipped to fifth.
On Saturday, Ronald Koeman's Valencia came from two goals down to scramble a 2-2 draw at Real Zaragoza to put the brakes on their recent slump.
Valencia were in trouble after a penalty from Argentine striker Diego Milito and an own goal by keeper Juan Luis Mora put Zaragoza 2-0 up at the break.
Serbian striker Nikola Zigic put them back in the game when he headed in 14 minutes from time and winger David Silva earned the visitors their second point in five outings with a fine solo effort soon after.
Dutch coach Koeman, who controversially omitted three experienced players from the first team last week, had to watch most of the second half from the stands after he was sent off for losing his cool on the touchline.
Valencia remain in seventh place, but are just three points ahead of Sevilla who claimed their second win in five with a high-class 4-1 victory at home to sixth-placed Racing Santander.
Mali striker Frederic Kanoute gave Sevilla the lead with his eighth goal of the season when he put the finishing touch to a gleaming passing move featuring great work from Daniel Alves and a defence-splitting back heel from Enzo Maresca.
Racing defender Ezequiel Garay equalised with a diving header at the start of the second half, but substitute Ernesto Chevanton restored Sevilla's lead when he curled in a superbly struck free-kick three minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Garay was sent off 11 minutes from time and Sevilla took full advantage, Jesus Navas completing a lightning break by driving an angled shot into the corner and Adriano Correia wrapping up when he drilled home after surging through the Racing defence.