The high flying duo of Real Sociedad and Villarreal were both held to barren draws on Sunday by Alaves and Elche respectively, while Diego Someone’s team Atletico Madrid - with two games in hand - won for the seventh time in succession after recording a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
Sociedad, despite playing against 10 men for half an hour, finds themselves one point off top spot after failing to get the three points necessary to regain top spot in La Liga.
Villarreal retains their place in third, five points off the top of the table after being held 0-0 at home with Elche. Real Madrid is another point in fourth, with one game in hand.
Barcelona trails Atletico by 12 points in ninth place, with two games in hand.
Alaves 0-0 Real Sociedad: Rodrigo Battaglia sent off but Alaves stood firm
Alaves’ ultra-defensive methods stifled Sociedad to only a few chances, and when they did get forward, goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco was ever-present to thwart their efforts and preserve Alaves’ six-game unbeaten run.
Pacheco had a superb game as he stood firm in between the sticks, twice denying Alexander Isak before team-mate Rodrigo Battaglia got sent off in the 61st minute for what appeared to be something he said on the field.
The Alaves stopper continued to thrive as he blocked another goal-bound shot from Willian Jose with 10 minutes left.
“We knew that this would be a tough match at a difficult ground,” said Sociedad midfielder Martin Merquelanz.
“Pacheco had a good performance. We created good chances, but we didn’t have that last pass, that good cross, that clinical finish.”
Sociedad were without new summer signing David Silva who picked up an injury in training.
Sociedad, whose attractive brand of football has attracted praise from far and near have lost just once this season.
Villarreal also dominated possession in their game, but could not get past a very dogged Elche defence.
