Cristiano Ronaldo (256.37 points FTBL reiting) notched a double as 10-man Real Madrid kept the heat on leaders Barcelona with a 3-2 victory at local rivals Getafe on Monday night. 

Reigning champions Barca stretched their lead at the top of the Primera Liga with a 2-1 triumph over Levante on Sunday, but Real trimmed that advantage back to two points in the Madrid derby, despite Alvaro Arbeloa seeing red in the 82nd minute.

Jose Mourinho's men drew first blood after Jose Manuel Mane fouled Real midfielder Angel di Maria in the area, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Ronaldo converted the 12th-minute penalty with ease, leaving Getafe goalkeeper Jordi Codina with no reply as his powerful shot put the visitors 1-0 ahead.

Real then doubled the scoreline soon after as Germany ace Mesut Ozil capitalised on some superb work from Di Maria to knock in a beautifully-crafted strike from close range.

Getafe pulled one back before the break through former Real midfielder Dani Parejo, who produced a stunning solo effort, evading several defenders before finally unleashing a superb finish in front of goal which keeper Iker Casillas had no chance of stopping.

But Ronaldo wrapped up Real's victory in a tight second half with his 19th league goal of the season to secure the crucial three-point haul, despite Arbeloa's dismissal and a late Juan Angel Albin goal putting the result briefly in doubt.

Villarreal kept up their chase on nearest rivals Real with a 2-0 triumph at home to Almeria.

The currently third-placed side went ahead in the 22nd minute courtesy of a Jose Catala strike before Borja Valero doubled the scoreline after the break, leaving their visitors still struggling in the relegation zone.

Real Mallorca climbed into ninth place with a commanding 3-0 triumph at home to Hercules.

Emilio Nsue and Victor were on target for the hosts in the first half, knocking in two goals within three minutes.

Michael Pereira then capped the victory soon after the restart, condemning Hercules to 13th in the standings.

A tight encounter at La Romareda saw Real Zaragoza move off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 triumph over Real Sociedad.

Both sides had a goal apiece at the break after Sociedad midfielder Xavier Prieto cancelled out Florent Sinama Pongolle's early strike.

But substitute Braulio managed to clinch a last-gasp winner for the home side in stoppage time to hand Zaragoza, now 18th in the table, a much-needed three points.

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to climb into the top five after being held to a disappointing goalless draw at home by  Racing Santander.

With Espanyol losing to Valencia on Sunday night, the Rojiblancos would have moved above the Barcelona-based outfit with a victory
over a Racing side that picked up just four points from a possible 24 away from home prior to Monday's game.

However Atletico, who were missing Diego Forlan (injured), Jose Antonio Reyes (suspended) and Simao Sabrosa (transferred), were unable to break down the Racing defence.