Barcelona: Getafe eased past 10-man Granada 2-0 on Sunday to match a club record with a fourth consecutive win that kept the Madrid side close to the top four in the Spanish league.
Defender Alejandro Galvez's stinging free kick in the 78th minute gave 10-man Rayo Vallecano a 1-0 victory at last-place Almeria, which remained the only team in the top flight without a win this season. Visiting Getafe was helped by a disastrous day for Granada's center backs, one being sent off early and the other opening the scoring with an own goal.
Pape Diakhate received his second yellow card in the 31st and defensive partner Jeison Murillo knocked Pedro Leon's cross into Granada's goal two minutes after halftime. Leon sealed the result for Getafe in the 55th with a strike from the edge of the area.
"Not long ago we were in second-to-last place and now we have won five of our last six games, that's a tremendous run in the first division," said Getafe coach Luis Garcia. "I'm very happy for my players and our fans. They should enjoy this, but stay humble and keep working."
The victory left Getafe one point behind fourth-place Villarreal before it plays at Athletic Bilbao on Monday. Barcelona lead the league after a 0-0 draw at Osasuna on Saturday when Atletico Madrid lost 1-0 at Espanyol to fall one point behind. Real Madrid is a further two points back in third place after beating Malaga 2-0, also on Saturday,
Granada's struggles in attack continued with a league-low five goals through nine rounds. Granada's fourth loss in five home games this season sparked sections of the Los Carmenes Stadium crowd to call for coach Lucas Alcaraz to step down.
Rayo appeared to be in trouble at Almeria after defender Saul Niguez was dismissed with his second yellow card in the 65th.
But Almeria failed to take advantage of the extra man before Galvez blasted a free kick just inside the near corner of the upright.
Later, Real Betis host Elche while Sevilla visit Valladolid.
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