Getafe came out on top in the local derby with Atletico Madrid defeating their 10-man neighbours 1-0 on Sunday to move four points off the Champions League spots.
Since winning promotion in 2004, Getafe had never beaten local rivals Atletico in the league at their Coliseum Alfonso Perez home but Manu del Moral's 38th minute goal ended that sequence.
For Atletico, who had midfielder Paulo Assuncao sent off, it brought an end to a run of three successive league victories and they are now ten points off the top six.
Del Moral scored the winner on 38 minutes arriving at the back post to side-foot home a fine Pedro Leon cross.
Atletico pressed for an equaliser but Brazilian Assuncao collected a second booking on 67 minutes to give the visitors too much to do.
Both Atletico and Getafe, who narrowly survived relegation last season, are in Kings Cup action on Thursday as they bid to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Atletico travel to Celta Vigo having drawn 1-1 in the first leg while Getafe host Real Mallorca holding a 2-1 advantage.
Earlier Valencia missed the chance to move level on points with second-placed Real Madrid following a frustrating 0-0 draw at promoted Tenerife on Sunday.
Valencia had scored nine goals in their last three matches but could not find the breakthrough against Tenerife and now trail Real by two points in third having played one game more.
"We weren't at our best today," said Valencia coach Unai Emery. "However, we are in a great position in the league and have to keep on going."
Tenerife had their chances too but had to be content with a point although it is not enough to move them out of the relegation zone.
Valencia sit five points ahead of Real Mallorca, who reclaimed fourth spot with a 1-1 draw at Espanyol on Sunday.
An 80th minute penalty from Borja Valero salvaged a point for Mallorca, who go above Deportivo La Coruna on goal difference.
In other matches, Villarreal got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over struggling Real Zaragoza at El Madrigal.
Despite the win Villarreal are still down in ninth, seven points off the desired European places.
Zaragoza are second from bottom and coach Jose Aurelio Gay has not tasted victory in his five league matches in charge.
Later on Sunday Real Madrid host Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu looking for a 10th consecutive home win in the league to cut Barcelona's eight-point cushion at the summit.
Real lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao last time out and can't afford to start slipping up at home after Barca beat Valladolid 3-0 on Saturday.
Barcelona have become only the fifth side to go the first half of the season unbeaten and no Spanish side has ever gone an entire 38 game season without losing.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
