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Real Madrid swept aside Sporting Gijon 4-0 away from home to cut Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points.

The leaders were held 2-2 away to Real Betis on Saturday and the champions took full advantage as Raul scored twice and Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Marcelo added one apiece to make short work of their hosts.

Raul set a new scoring record for the nine-times European champions, surpassing Alfredo di Stefano's tally by two to move on to 309 goals.

Atletico Madrid host local rivals Getafe later on Sunday.

Real Madrid were without the injured Arjen Robben at El Molinon but his absence was quickly forgotten as Raul stroked in Sergio Ramos's cross after 15 minutes.

Juande Ramos gave new signing Huntelaar a rare start and the Dutch striker returned the favour with his debut goal for the club, beating Inaki Lafuente in a one-on-one after a flick-on from Gonzalo Higuain before the break.

Higuain set up the third just after the restart, backheeling to set Marcelo clear on a counter-attack, and the Brazilian international calmly lifted the ball over Lafuente.

Sporting's keeper gifted Raul the fourth when he let Higuain's shot squirm through his legs for a simple tap-in 14 minutes from time, and the home side's best chance came when David Barral lashed a shot against the post at the end.

Espanyol 0-2 Sevilla

Bottom club Espanyol's battling performance was undone after Milan Smiljanic was sent off in the 64th minute, leaving new coach Mauricio Pochettino still without a win.

Sevilla had been denied by the woodwork twice before Jesus Navas crossed for Frederic Kanoute to score in the 84th minute.

Navas set up Kanoute again in time added on as Sevilla went third above Valencia.

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Getafe

Atletico's new coach Abel Resino was denied a second consecutive win as Getafe grabbed a late equaliser in the southern Madrid derby.

Diego Forlan volleyed Atletico ahead after 33 minutes in an open encounter.

Juan Albin missed a penalty near the end for Getafe but made amends diving to head the visitors level two minutes from time.

Racing Santander 1-1 Villarreal

Villarreal's inconsistent away form continued in Santander as they failed to profit from a Racing side short on confidence at home.

Serbia striker Nikola Zigic headed Racing in front in the 24th minute, although replays showed he had been in an offside position.

Villarreal levelled with a superb finish from Santi Cazorla after a well-worked corner move just before the break.

Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Recreativo

Copa del Rey semi-finalists Bilbao came from behind to preserve their three-month unbeaten record at San Mames.

Recre took the lead when Javier Camunas set up Aitor in the 33rd minute. Bilbao, who missed injured striker Fernando Llorente, levelled when Javi Martinez bundled in at a free-kick just after the restart.

Numancia 0-1 Mallorca

Mallorca climbed off the foot of the standings and condemned fellow strugglers Numancia to their fifth consecutive defeat.

Aritz Aduriz scored the only goal, volleying in Juan Arango's cross after 21 minutes, although Numancia hit the crossbar as they pushed for an equaliser in the second half.

Almeria 3-2 Valladolid

Almeria were down to nine men when they completed their comeback to win 3-2 from 2-0 down, Alvaro Negredo lobbing the keeper in the 78th minute.

Valladolid took the lead with a great Pedro Leon free-kick and doubled it when Henok Goitom netted a scrappy effort in the 22nd.

Albert Crusat pulled one back in the 61st, just before team-mate Bruno Saltor was sent off.

Kalu Uche rose to head the equaliser in the 70th, and seven minutes later was also sent off. Valladolid had defender Nano red-carded in the 81st.

Reuters