Real Madrid can move 10 points clear at the summit if they triumph against Levante on Sunday evening as Pep Guardiola was left to rue leaving Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas on the bench ahead of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen.
Barcelona found themselves 2-0 down in the space of 22 minutes as Dejan Lekic bagged a brace and, even though Alexis Sanchez reduced the deficit early in the second period, Raul Garcia immediately responded for the home side.
Cristian Tello brought Barca back into the contest in the 73rd minute, but they could not find an equaliser, with Lionel Messi seeing a goal ruled out for offside and Fabregas sending a late header straight at goalkeeper Andres.
Elsewhere Real Betis snatched a last-gasp winner against 10-man Athletic Bilbao as Nelson drilled home from the edge of the box in added time to claim three vital points for the relegation battlers.
Ruben Castro produced a sublime finish to fire the hosts in front with only 10 minutes on the clock as he curled a first-time effort beyond Gorka Iraizoz from a tight angle on the left of the area.
Bilbao were back on terms midway through the first period, with Javi Martinez heading home, only for the midfielder to be given his marching orders in the second period for a second bookable offence, with Nelson then emerging as the hero.
Atletico Madrid passed up a host of good opportunities as Racing Santander clung on to claim a Primera Division point at El Sardinero.
The visitors had the best of a largely uneventful first half but Adrian Lopez missed their best chance as he fired straight at Tono Ramirez.
The Racing keeper was busier after the break as he repelled efforts from Felipe Luis and Diego, while the latter and Radamel Falcao also struck the post.
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