MADRID, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Club Bilbao inflicted the first league defeat of the season on BBVA Primera Liga leaders FC Barcelona on Sunday night and in doing so cut Barca's lead at the top of the table to three points over Real Madrid and just goal difference over Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile the win lifts Athletic, who are unbeaten in their new San Mames Stadium, up to fourth in the league and was just reward for their efforts.
Coming into the game on the back of their midweek defeat Barca played well in the first half but were unable to break down an excellent Athletic defense.
Things changed drastically after the break and Barca were quite simply unable to live with Athletic's physical superiority and the Basque side got their reward after 70 minutes when Iker Muniain scored from a Markel Susaeta cross to provoke what will almost be a minor crisis in Barcelona.
Barca went into the game in Bilbao knowing their two rivals for the title: Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid had both won on Saturday night.
Atletico won in Elche, while a Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick to show there is life without Cristiano Ronaldo as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory at home to struggling Valladolid.
Bale opened the scoring after the half hour and then set up Karim Benzema with an in-swinging cross five minutes later to make it 2-0 ahead of the break.
Bale netted his second of the night after 63 minutes to secure the win and Marcelo set up Bale for his hat-trick in the last minute of the game.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid's exceptional season continued with a 2-0 win away to Elche, thanks to 'Koke' Resurrecion who gave Atletico the lead early in the second half after a goalkeeping error and Diego Costa's 15th league goal of the campaign.
Sunday kicked off with a tense game in Seville as Betis drew 2-2 at home to Rayo Vallecano as the side bottom of the table took on the team second from bottom.
Betis twice took the lead through Antonio Amaya and Joan Verdu, but were pegged back by two goals from Alvaro Bueno, with the equalizer coming in the 92nd minute to leave Betis rooted to the bottom of the table.
Sevilla needed 22 matches between their last away win and their victory away to Espanyol two weeks ago and such s football that Unai Emery's side won in Granada on Sunday, triumphing 2-1 thanks to goals from Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro. Gameiro's goal came three minutes from time after Brahimi had given Granada a goal which would have given them a well-deserved draw.
Valencia beat Osasuna 3-0 to take the pressure of coach, Miroslav Djukic, although the task was made easier by referee Velasco Carballo, who harshly sent off Osasuna captain Patxi Punal after just 16 minutes.
Jonas Goncalves then competed a hat-trick with goals on either side of halftime and on 54 minutes to make the points safe for Djukic's men.
Celta Vigo defeated Almeria 3-1 in an exciting to finally win in front of their home fans at the eighth time of asking.
Almeria took the lead after nine minutes following a fine shot from Suso, but Fabian Orellana also produced a moment of magic after 26 minutes to level the score and in the second half goals from Borja Oubina and former Almeria striker Charles secured Celta's home win of the campaign.
Finally Real Sociedad came back from a goal down to win 2-1 away to Espanyol in a hard fought game decided by a horrible error by Espanyol striker, Cristiano Stuani, who sliced a tame cross into his own net.
Espanyol had taken the lead through Jhon Corboba and looked comfortable until Antoine Griezmann headed his side level with 22 minutes remaining.
The game looked to be heading for a draw until Stauni's error three minutes from time, which sent the 3 points back to San Sebastian.