Atletico hammer Getafe

The Colchoneros put their local rivals to the sword at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in this fixture last season, with Fernando Torres inspirational in a 3-0 win.

The much-coveted striker was in similarly irresistible form this time round, and within two minutes had already put his side ahead. He controlled a long ball beautifully with his head, before beating Getafe 'keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri with a fine finish.

Portuguese midfielder Maniche made it two after 17 minutes, running onto a fine pass from Martin Petrov, and drilling a low shot across Abbondanzieri and into the far corner.

A goal from Manu del Moral on the hour mark gave the Azulones hope, but that was extinguished just six minutes later as Torres bagged his second of the afternoon with another cool finish.

Luciano Galletti wrapped up the win, converting a penalty after centre back David Belenguer had handled in the area.

Atletico now move to within one point of Zaragoza, though open up a gap of four points on the group of teams still fighting for a UEFA Cup spot.

Diego Forlan scored a second-half hat-trick as Villarreal ran out 4-1 winners at Osasuna.

Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires put the yellow submarines a goal up in the sixth minute, though Valdo was left unmarked at the far post to equalise ten minutes later.

Forlan put Villarreal back in front with the first of his three goals on 64 minutes, a thunderbolt from outside the area that flew into the top corner. A mistake from goalkeeper Ricardo gifted Forlan his second, and he wrapped things up in the 89th minute, though provoked the ire of Osasuna defenders by refusing to put the ball out of play after a defender lay seemingly injured on the ground.

Real Sociedad kept their bid to avoid relegation alive with a 3-1 victory at Nastic Tarragona.

Gaizka Garitano put the Basque side ahead in the 12th minute, and Brazilian winger Savio made it two midway through the first half.

Javier Portillo cracked in a fine goal from a tight angle to put his side back into the match, and almost grabbed an equaliser when Merino hit the bar with only 'keeper Claudio Bravo to beat.

Sociedad centre back Ansotegi put the game to bed with 20 minutes to go.

Former Getafe striker Riki hit back for Deportivo as they earned a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Ander Murillo had given the home side the lead from Andoni Iraola's cross, but Riki found the back of the net from outside the area soon after to give his side a share of the points.

Elsewhere, Racing Santander's hopes of a UEFA Cup spot were hit by a 2-0 home defeat to Real Mallorca, while Levante grabbed a priceless 2-1 win over Hristo Stoichkov's Celta Vigo at Balaidos