FC Barcelona overcame some nervous moments against relegation threatened Tenerife to win 4-1 and once again open up a four point lead over title challengers Real Madrid. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Almeria took a 3-0 lead thanks to Crusat and Uche, who scored twice. However, Villarreal, a side aiming to qualify for Europe next season, pulled two goals back through Marcano and Ibagaza before Piatti assured the points deep into injury time.

Getafe' s European ambitions also suffered a setback with a 1-1 home draw against Sporting Gijon. De las Cuevas scored for the visitors but Roberto Soldado' s overhead kick assured a share of the points. The draw takes Sporting closer to avoiding relegation.

Finally Xerez is on the brink of relegation after a 3-1 defeat in Valencia. Armenteros opened the scoring for the visitors but two goals from Juan Mata and one from David Silva mean that should Malaga and Racing Santander win on Wednesday, Xerez will go down.