Atlético Madrid, who beat Cádiz 3-2 in front of their home crowd on Sunday, remain in contact with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, winners on Saturday and who took the first two places in La Liga.
After this eighth day, which will end on Monday with a match between the poorly ranked Las Palmas and Celta Vigo, the Merengue and Barça are first and second separated by a point.
The Colchoneros are fourth, five lengths from the new first, but now three points behind Girona, previous surprise leader at the start of the season, crushed at home 3-0 by Real Madrid on Saturday. Antoine Griezmann’s teammates experienced a nightmarish first half hour: after 27 minutes of play, Cadiz actually led 2-0.
But Atlético was able to come back and get back in front, notably with a double from its Argentinian international Angel Correa, and Molina Lucero. Also on Sunday, bottom Almeria conceded a draw (3-3) against Granada (19th) after leading 3-0, thanks to a hat-trick in five minutes from Colombian Luis Suarez (41, 44 and 45 1). But the 25-year-old former Marseille player seriously injured his left leg in the second half and had to leave, in tears, on a stretcher.