An out-of-sorts Real Madrid missed their chance to claim the leadership of the Primera Liga when they slumped to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat at Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday.
The Galicians preserved their 14-year unbeaten home record against Real in the league thanks to a superb strike from Canadian midfielder Julian de Guzman and a fine double from central defender Juanma.
With Real suffering their second league defeat in a row, Osasuna seized control at the top of the standings after snatching a last-gasp 3-2 win at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Cameroon striker Pierre Webo stabbed home the Osasuna winner in the 92nd minute after keeper Daniel Aranzubia had palmed a Valdo shot into his path.
Barcelona moved to within two points of the leaders after a Ronaldinho penalty and a classy finish from substitute Henrik Larsson earned them a 2-0 win at home to Malaga.
Osasuna lead the standings on 18 points from nine games, one clear of Getafe, who travel to Real Sociedad on Thursday, and two ahead of Barcelona and Celta Vigo who went down 1-0 to struggling Real Mallorca.
Real are three points off the pace in fifth place, level on 15 with Villarreal who notched up a controversial 3-2 victory away to Real Betis.
WHIRLWIND START
Deportivo made a whirlwind start at the Riazor against a weakened Real Madrid missing Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Zinedine Zidane as they laid seige to their opponents' area in the opening quarter of an hour.
The chances came thick and fast from Depor, while Real managed to threaten the opposition goal just once in the first half when a weak shot from Robinho looped into Jose Molina's hands.
Depor eventually got the lead they deserved when De Guzman squeezed a superb shot past Iker Casillas and inside the far post after a neat pass from Diego Tristan in the 34th minute.
Juanma made it 2-0 before the break when he got in front of Ivan Helguera to head in a great cross from former Real Madrid midfielder Pedro Munitis.
The Deportivo centre back took full advantage of some appalling defending from the Real back four to make it 3-0 with another fine header six minutes from time.
Raul pulled one back for Real with a spectacular long-distance strike two minutes later but it was scant consolation for the visitors who turned in one of their worst performances of the season.
Barca had Malaga on the rack for much of the first half at the Nou Camp but were kept at bay by an inspired performance by their former keeper Francesc Arnau.
The Andalucians held out until 11 minutes before the final whistle when Barca were awarded a controversial penalty after Ronaldinho went to ground in the area although defender Juan Rodriguez appeared to have got to the ball first.
The Brazilian gave Arnau no chance when he blasted the spot kick high into the roof of the net to put the Catalans ahead.
Seven minutes later Larsson made sure of the victory with his first goal of the season, latching on to a slide-rule pass from Ronaldinho, fending off a challenge from a defender and finishing off with a delicate chip over the advancing Arnau.
More from rediff