Madrid - Villarreal went back on top of the Spanish Liga on Saturday, albeit temporarily, with a come-from-behind 2-1 home win over lowly Betis. Later on Saturday, Barcelona powered their way up to second by thrashing feeble Atletico Madrid 6-1.
Manuel Pellgrini's talented team had to show their resilience and character to turn the tables on a Betis side who looked lively - but failed to build on their lead.
Unbeaten Villarreal - making their best ever start - now have 16 points from six games, three points more than Barca and Valencia, who will go back on top on goal difference if they win in Valladolid on Sunday.
Villarreal made a sluggish start, as if Tuesday's hard-fought Champions League defeat of Glasgow Celtic had left them weary.
Damia Abella shot Betis ahead in the 21st minute, on a clever from left-winger Mark Gonzalez.
The visitors continued to dominate, but wasted good chances to score what could have been a crucial second goal.
In the 69th minute Villarreal levelled with an Argentine-flavoured goal, defender Gonzalo Rodriguez heading in a precise free-kick from little playmaker Ariel Ibagaza.
Betis were against the ropes, and just two minutes later Joseba Exteberria made it 2-1 from close range after Robert Pires had mis-hit a volley.
"We should really have scored a second goal," said Betis captain Capi. "That was how things started to go wrong."
The latest defeat leaves Betis third from bottom with just two points.
"They made things difficult for us," said Villarreal's Javi Venta. "But we did better in the second half, and took our chances well."
This is exactly what Barca did against Atletico later on Saturday, in a memorable first-half exhibition of slick touch football - and of mean finishing.
Rafa Marquez started the rout for Josep Guardiola's in-form team by heading in a Xavi Hernandez corner after just four minutes.
Two minutes later Samuel Eto'o made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, after Lionel Messi had been clumsily pulled down by Tomas Ujfalusi.
And in the 10th minute it was 3-0, thanks to a cheeky Messi free- kick that left Atletico keeper Gregory Coupet flat-footed.
Maxi Rodriguez pulled a goal back for Atletico, but suffered a torn muscle in the process and had to be stretchered off.
The one-way traffic continued and Eto'o made it 4-1 after brushing aside the pathetic Ufjalusi. In the 29th minute Eidur Gudjohnsen put away the fifth, after Andres Iniesta had hit the Atletico post.
As expected, Barca dropped their rhythm in the second half, but even so created countless chances.
Substitute Thierry Henry completed the rout with a handsome goal in the 74th minute.
Barca have now scored 18 goals in six games, and are shaping up to be serious candidates for the Liga title.
"Everything went well for us tonight," said captain Carles Puyol, who enjoyed a tranquil night in defence.
Sunday's other big game, in addition to the Valladolid-Valencia clash, will see fourth-placed Real Madrid at home to Espanyol.
