Portu finished emphatically past Vicente Guaita within the first 20 minutes to set the visitors on their way back to top spot.

Paulo Gazzaniga then denied the hosts on several occasions to secure victory for Girona, who sit one point above Real having played a game more.

Rafael Benitez's side enjoyed plenty of pressure but goalkeeper Gazzaniga - formerly of Tottenham and Southampton - stood firm for the visitors.

As Celta Vigo pushed hard for a leveller, the Argentinian acrobatically turned Jorgen Strand Larsen's header on to the crossbar before also denying Oscar Mingueza.

Girona held out for a clean sheet that ensured they returned to winning ways following their midweek Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Mallorca.

Girona head coach Michel has guided the club to 16 league wins and just one loss so far this season.

Meanwhile, Samuel Lino and Memphis Depay scored as Atletico Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 to move up to third in the table, above Barcelona on goal difference.

Sevilla rose to 16th in the table, one point above the relegation zone, after a 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna.

Isaac Romero gave the hosts the lead after 23 minutes, wriggling away from his defender and finishing clinically, before Ante Budimir scored from close range in the second half to restore parity.

Sevilla's former Liverpool and AC Milan winger Suso was dismissed four minutes from time but Quique Sanchez Flores' side managed to hold out for a valuable point.

Cadiz, who sit two places and a point below Sevilla, remain in the bottom three after their 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day.