Koke's seventh-minute strike held as Atleti moved into second place in La Liga. Cristina Quicler/AFP/Getty Images

Atletico Madrid took advantage of Real Madrid's humbling loss in the clasico by moving past their crosstown rivals into second place in La Liga after winning 1-0 at Real Betis on Sunday.

Koke blasted in what proved to be the winner in the seventh minute, and the outmatched hosts never mustered a serious challenge.

Atletico replaced Madrid as Barcelona's closest title rival at four points off their pace through 12 rounds. The change came a day after the defending champions dealt Madrid a humiliating 4-0 drubbing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Atletico's success in exploiting Madrid's woes will increase the pressure on Madrid's coach, Rafa Benitez, whose side are now six points behind Barcelona and two points adrift of Diego Simeone's side.

Left-back Jaume Costa scored a late equaliser to earn Villarreal a 1-1 draw against Eibar at El Madrigal, where both teams finished with 10 men.

It looked set to be an afternoon of frustration for Marcelino's men after Sergio Enrich volleyed the visitors ahead midway through the first half.

Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola prevented the hosts from going into the break 2-0 down when he saved Dani Garcia's penalty.

After Villarreal substitute Daniele Bonera was forced off with injury, having already made all three substitutions, Eibar winger Keko evened up the numbers by picking up two quick yellow cards.

The Yellow Submarine's pressure finally told when, with just five minutes left, defender Costa got behind on the overlap to stab the ball in off the far post.

Denis Suarez rues a missed chance for Villarreal against Eibar. JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images

Levante made the most of Sporting Gijon's defensive frailties to beat the Asturian side 3-0 at El Molinon and pick up their first win under coach Rubi.

Brazilian forward Deyverson scored twice either side of a strike by Morocco international Zouhair Feddal to give the visitors an unassailable three-goal lead before half-time, while Sporting's Jony had a penalty saved in the second half.

The victory was just the second win for Levante this season and lifts them off the bottom of the Primera Division table and up to 18th, while Sporting slumped to a fourth successive defeat and drop down to 15th place, although just two points better off than Levante.

Granada saw off Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to pick up their first win since August and move off the bottom of the Primera Division and out of the relegation zone.

An own goal by Aymeric Laporte after just five minutes put the hosts on their way to victory and Isaac Success made sure of the points by scoring on the volley just before the hour mark, ending Athletic's five-game winning streak in all competitions.

The Basques drop down to ninth place in the table, while Granada move up to 16th but are just one point clear of bottom side Malaga.