Atletico Madrid climbed back into the top half of the La Liga standings with a 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

After being hammered 4-1 by leaders and city rivals Real Madrid last time out, Atletico hit back today with goals from Gabi (25), Radamel Falcao (74) and Eduardo Salvio (90). Gabi also scored at the other end of the pitch to put Rayo on the scoresheet late on.

Malaga remain in fifth despite going down to a 3-2 defeat at Real Sociedad, who produced an incredible fightback in the final two minutes.

The hosts took the lead after ten minutes through Martin Demichelis' own goal. However, Salomon Rondon levelled midway through the half and then Seba Fernandez pounced on an error by Mikel Gonzalez to put Malaga 2-1 in front.

A Carlos Vela wonder-goal brought Sociedad back into the match in the 89th minute and two minutes later Diego Ifran broke through the Malaga defence to snatch the winner.

Osasuna secured a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory over Real Betis thanks to Javad Nekounam's fantastic injury-time winner.

Miguel Flano had given the hosts the lead in the first half after poor marking by the visitors but Betis were the better side after the break and deservedly levelled when Ruben Castro turned in Jonathan Pereira's cross with ten minutes remaining.

Betis looked the most likely winner in the closing minutes, but it was Osasuna who stole the points with the last kick of the game by Nekounam.

Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Mallorca striker Alvaro Gimenez got the home side off to a flying start when he scored the opening goal in the second minute before Fernando Amorebieta levelled on the stroke of half-time.

In the day's late game, Granada eased clear of the relegation zone while heaping more misery on bottom side Real Zaragoza with a 1-0 win.

Odion Ighalo scored the only goal of the night on the stroke of half-time as Granada climbed to 12th place, three points clear of danger, while Zaragoza remain two points adrift at the foot of the standings.