Atletico Madrid eased to a 3-0 win over Mallorca to strengthen their position in third and finish the day eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
After Villarreal, fourth, fell to defeat against Los Blancos on Saturday, Diego Simeone's team capitalised with a solid home victory to go three points clear of the Yellow Submarine.
Alexander Sorloth and Thiago Almada struck for the hosts, either side of a David Lopez own goal at the Metropolitano stadium.
The hosts took the lead after 22 minutes when Marcos Llorente walloped the ball towards goal, with Roman saving well but unable to keep the ball from falling to Sorloth to tap home.
It was the Norwegian target man's third goal in his last three league games and his seventh of the season, equalling Julian Alvarez as the team's top goalscorer in the competition.
Alvarez failed to score for a ninth consecutive game, although his coach said the Argentina international played well and will be key in the months ahead.
"We have to be calm and know (Alvarez) is a player who can make the difference," said Simeone.
"If we want to go some place important this season we need him at 100 percent, because he's one of the best players we have in the squad."
Midway through the second half Atletico doubled their advantage when an attempted clearance from Llorente's cross comically deflected off Lopez into his own net.
Almada wrapped up the win late on when an Atletico corner came through to him and he found some space in the box before firing home.
