Deportivo lost Pablo Alvarez just before the break at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium after he fouled Javier Marquez and collected a second booking.

Alonso headed home David Garcia's cross after 62 minutes before Joan Verdu's spectacular shot in the 81st allowed the Barcelona club to pick up only its second victory in eight games.

While Mallorca rallied to draw 1-1 at Levante, last-place Malaga secured a much-needed victory - only its second in 11 games - by 2-0 at Real Sociedad.

A minute's silence was observed before the start of all matches as a mark of respect for the victims of Friday's deadly earthquake in Japan.

Malaga went ahead after 25 minutes, courtesy of a shot from Portugal midfielder Duda.

His side's Argentine keeper Willy Caballero made a series of crucial saves before Jose Rondon doubled the lead at the Anoeta Stadium, pouncing on Portuguese midfielder Eliseu's 58th-minute cross.

The loss stretched Sociedad's winless slump to four games as it lost ground on a Europa League spot. Sociedad is four points behind Atletico Madrid, which drew 2-2 at Almeria on Saturday, for the last European place.

Osasuna continued its improvement under new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar as the Pamplona club beat Racing Santander 3-1 for a third victory in five games.

Kike Sola turned to fire home the opener after 20 minutes before being fouled four minutes later to earn a penalty that Iran international Javad Nekounam converted.

Fernando Soriano went through unopposed on goal to score the third, five minutes after the restart, before Markus Rosenberg pulled one back for Santander in the 52nd from long-range after stealing.

Soriano handled in the 75th minute for a second booking, but Osasuna hung on with 10 men to move into 12th while its Cantabrian opponent lost its second consecutive match.

Juanlu Gomez hammered a left-footed volley across the area beyond Mallorca 'keeper Dudu Aouate for Levante's 37th- minute opener. But Mallorca equalized on the hour mark when Sergio Ballesteros turned Ivan Ramis' free kick into his own goal.

Spanish leader Barcelona looks to return a seven-point cushion over Real Madrid when it plays at Sevilla later, while Villarreal aims to close a four-point gap to third-place Valencia against Sporting Gijon.

Valencia lost 4-0 at Zaragoza on Saturday, when Madrid beat Hercules 2-0.

Almeria, Hercules and Malaga all share 26 points in the drop places.

Athletic Bilbao can overtake Espanyol and retake fifth by one point with a victory over Getafe on Monday.