Guti: Hat-trick for Real (Photography/Allsport)

Real maintained their eight-point lead as second-placed Deportivo Coruna squeezed out a 2-1 win over relegation strugglers Osasuna. Third-placed Valencia lost ground after falling victim to in-form Alaves who grabbed a rare 2-1 victory at the Mestalla stadium.

A last-minute Rivaldo free kick enabled Barcelona to salvage a 4-4 draw in a pulsating home clash with Real Zaragoza.

It was the second week running that Barcelona had been involved in an eight-goal thriller.

Real lead on 65 points, Deportivo follow with 57 and Valencia stayed third on 52, a point ahead of Barcelona.

Real survived an early fright as their attack-minded visitors, marshalled by the impressive Jorge Lopez, pushed forward.

On seven minutes, a Lopez cross prised open the Real defence and Martin Palermo fired a shot against the post. A minute later Lopez skipped past Fernando Hierro and forced a fine reflex save from Iker Casillas.

But Real were shocked into action and Guti, leading the Real attack in the absence of Raul and Fernando Morientes, forced a sharp save from Javier Lopez Vallejo in the 11th minute.

Six minutes later, Lopez Vallejo was lucky to escape with a yellow card after he charged into Michel Salgado on the edge of the area. But the Villarreal player then redeemed himself with a fine save from a trademark cannonball free kick from Roberto Carlos.

The packed Bernabeu stadium was then brought to its feet by a spectacular goal from Guti on 21 minutes.

Roberto Carlos stormed into space on the left and then swept a curling cross into the edge of the area. The advancing Guti sent the ball spinning into the corner of the net with a superb looping volley.

Real proceeded to take control of the game, depriving Villarreal of possession and leaving Palermo isolated up front.

Guti added his second and his 11th goal of the season five minutes after the break. Luis Figo threaded a neat pass through to Steve McManaman whose square ball left Guti with a simple tap in.

Four minutes later, Real were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. This time Roberto Carlos opted for a more subtle approach and swerved a shot around the wall. Lopez Vallejo got his hand to the ball but could not prevent it fizzing into the top corner.

Guti completed his hat-trick after a fine run by Savio on the left. The Real forward chipped over the keeper to make it 4-0 on 59 minutes.

Barcelona, who came back from three goals down against Villarreal last week, staged another remarkable recovery in a dazzling clash with Zaragoza at the Nou Camp.

Well-taken goals from Juan Eduardo Esnaider and Paulo Jamelli gave the visitors a 2-0 lead into the break. But Marc Overmars pulled a goal back eight minutes into the second half as he fired home a Philip Cocu pass.

The sides then exchanged four goals in a frenetic eight minutes - Jose Ignacio and Esnaider scoring with long shots for the visitors and Patrick Kluivert notching a classy double for Barcelona.