Real Madrid claimed top spot in La Liga this evening, following their 1-0 win over Racing Santander and Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao. Los Merengues had gone top thanks to a steady, if unspectacular, 1-0 win, secured by Gonzalo Higuain's first-half goal, but had to wait for the outcome of Barça trip to San Mames in the late kick-off to find out if they would stay there.

The Spanish and European champions looked on course to reclaim their place at the summit when Dani Alves opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Xavi squeezed an angled pass through to the Brazilian, who produced a calm right-footed finish across Athletic keeper Gorka Iraizoz and into the bottom-right corner.

However, the hosts levelled nine minutes later when Fernando Llorente beat Dimitro Chygrynskiy in the air and flicked on for substitute Gaizka Toquero, who despatched a clinical right-footed shot into Victor Valdes's top-right corner. Barça pressed but they could not find a winning goal, and will head into next weekend's El Clasico a point behind their fierce rivals.

Success for Sevilla, Deportivo
Sevilla survived a late Tenerife fightback to hold on for an eighth league win of the season to consolidate third place. Manolo Jimenez's side took control just after the half-hour, when Diego Perotti struck the opener.

Renato then doubled their lead three minutes after the break and the three points looked guaranteed. But there were some nervous moments for the Andalusians late on after Nino pulled a goal back with 15 minutes still left on the clock.

Andres Guardado converted a dramatic last-minute penalty to give Deportivo a 2-1 win in a lively duel with Atletico Madrid, condemning the visitors to a third straight defeat under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores. Depor have enjoyed an excellent start to the season and came into the game in fifth, but they looked to be in trouble early on as Sergio Aguero struck after just three minutes for Atletico.

Miguel Angel Lotina's side came back into it when Diego Colotto equalised after 20 minutes and, just when the game appeared to be heading towards a stalemate, Pablo brought down Alberto Lopo and Guardado kept his cool fire in the winner from the penalty spot.