A late goal by substitute Diego Tristán gave Deportivo a 2-2 draw against leaders Real Madrid. Madrid had gone in to a two goal lead at the break with a Helder own goal and a Figo penalty, but a Djalminha penalty early in the second half put the home side back in the game. Madrid keep their four point lead over their rivals. (24.02.01)

Valencia and Barcelona moved two points nearer to the two leaders after both won their home games. Valencia beat neighbours Villarreal 3-1 thanks to a hat trick from John Carew, with Quique Alvarez momentarily levelling the scores in the first half. Valencia are now three points behind Deportivo. Kluivert got his first two goals in some time and Xavi added a third as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 3-0 to stay within two points of third place.

The top four have opened up a five point gap over Villarreal, who stay in fifth place thanks to the defeat of Mallorca by next to bottom club Racing Santander. Mazzoni opened the scoring for the home side, and although Marcos equalised, Colsa re-established the lead just before half time.

Racing close up to within a point of Real Sociedad, but they couldn't shake off Osasuna, who came from two down to beat Oviedo. Oli and a Tomic penalty gave the Asturian side the lead by half time, but two from Alex, the first from a free kick and the second from a penalty, and another from Iván Rosado gave the bottom club a surprise victory. Despite falling behind, Antic kept Collymore on the bench throughout the game.

Seventh placed Rayo failed to take advantage of the defeats by the two teams above them after they were held 1-1 by ten man Espanyol. Velamazán scored for the visitors but after Tamudo was sent off, Rayo came back with a goal from Bolo.

Alavés threw away a two goal lead in the last fifteen minutes against Celta as they too failed to capitalize. Javi Moreno got his seventeenth of the season in the league and Tomás put through his own net, but when Celta brought on Mostovoi and Gustavo López halfway through the second half they came back, with headed goals from Mostovoi himself and Edu in the last minute.

The three teams who did move back up were Bilbao, Valladolid and Málaga, all of whom won. Bilbao beat struggling Numancia 3-1, with goals by Etxeberria, javi González and a late header by Urzaiz, with José Manuel replying for the Soria side. Goals by veterans Caminero and Eusebio in their 2-0 victory kept up Valladolid's 37 year unbeaten record against Zaragoza. Esnaider missed a penalty in the second half which would have made it 1-1. Las Palmas went a goal ahead through a long Jarni free kick which slipped through Rafa's fingers, but despite throwing everything at Málaga they couldn't increase their lead. Then goals in the last 20 minutes by Dely Valdés and in injury time by Larrainzar gave the home side a 2-1 victory. (25.02.01)