Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona
Barcelona produced a chaotic, high-scoring win at La Cartuja to reach nine wins from nine and match the best LaLiga start on record, matching Real Madrid's start in the 1968-69 campaign.
Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a spectacular long-range strike before Valentin Gomez equalised for Betis in the 27th minute.
Rodri restored Barcelona's lead four minutes before half-time after rising above the defence to head home from a corner, and Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 early in the second half after being set up by Yamal.
Abde Ezzalzouli pulled one back almost immediately to keep the excitement going, but a huge blow moments later cut short their chances of mounting a fightback when midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off for headbutting Yamal after a confrontation.
Eric Garcia tapped in from close range in the 62nd minute after a goalkeeping error to make it 4-2, and substitute Dani Olmo sealed the win with a fine strike from outside the box in the 81st minute.
The result puts Barcelona five points clear of Atletico ahead of the upcoming El Clasico.
Espanyol 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid secured a hard-fought away win thanks to a late strike from substitute Alex Baena in the 89th minute.
The visitors dominated possession and created more chances, but Espanyol goalkeeper Angel Fortuno was outstanding, and the hosts threatened on set pieces with Leandro Cabrera hitting the crossbar in the first half.
Just when it seemed as if the points would be shared, Julian Alvarez created a chance for Baena by cutting in off the left wing, with just one minute of regular time remaining and the Spanish midfielder lashed home a stinging shot from just outside the area.
Villarreal 0-0 Elche
A low-excitement stalemate at the Estadio de la Ceramica ended 0-0, with neither side breaking the deadlock in a match short on clear-cut chances.
Both teams took a point, with Villarreal remaining mid-table and Elche still near the bottom.
Valencia 0-0 Athletic Club
Neither side found the net in a tight contest at Mestalla, with Valencia playing a counter-attacking game plan that saw them surrender the lion's share of possession (37% to Athletic Club's 63%) but still manage more shots on goal (16-9).
However, Unai Simon was superb in goal for the visitors and denied the hosts time and again, securing a point for his side.
Real Madrid have called for the resignation of La Liga president Javier Tebas after he compared the club's communications strategy to the propaganda techniques of Nazi official Joseph Goebbels.
Barcelona have received a major boost ahead of Saturday's La Liga clash against Real Betis, with Hansi Flick confirming that Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong are available again after injury.
Barcelona have received a boost ahead of their La Liga trip to Real Betis, with Raphinha returning to group training after suffering a knock while on international duty.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has admitted that anger and frustration after the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid prompted his criticism of the club's transfer strategy.
