Real Madrid legend Raul equalled the club's all-time scoring record to send his side on their way to a 2-0 victory at lowly Numancia.
The 31-year-old striker netted his 307th goal for the Real, where he has spent his entire professional career, and Arjen Robben added a classy second to narrow the gap on leaders Barcelona, who play Racing Santander on Sunday.
The late dismissal of Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago for a second caution proved immaterial.
The gap is still nine points and may be back to 12 in 24 hours' time, but Saturday's win was Real's sixth in a row in the league and at least maintains the pressure on their arch-rivals.
In contrast, Numancia are becoming increasingly embroiled in a relegation battle having lost three on the bounce, although it could have been a different story had they taken their early chances at La Parajeto.
In Saturday night's other game Athletic Bilbao came from behind twice to beat Malaga 3-2 in an action-packed game at San Mames.
The Basques looked off-colour when falling behind to goals from Albert Luque and Lolo either side of Fran Yeste's first-half equaliser, but late strikes from Fernando Llorente and Markel Susaeta turned the match on its head.
After Llorente's equaliser both sides may have settled for a point but, with four minutes remaining, substitute Susaeta showed great technique to hang in the air and guide Gaizka Tuquero's left-wing cross back across goal into the far corner with a cushioned header.
Source:
SportingLife.com