Yannick Carrasco's hat-trick and Nicolas Gaitan's first two goals for Atletico Madrid inspired a storming fightback by Diego Simeone's men to flatten Granada 7-1 after falling behind early on Saturday.
Real Madrid kept pace with their city rivals with four first-half goals of their own in a 6-1 win at Real Betis to snap a streak of four straight draws.
Real had dropped down to fourth due to results earlier in the day, but roared back to a share of the lead and put a poor run behind them with their best display of the season to blow Betis away.
"When we play with the intensity required it makes it very difficult for the opponent," said a relieved Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. "We have worked on that, but we need to be consistent. This match is a reference point."
Raphael Varane headed home Toni Kroos's free-kick before the German also teed up Karim Benzema to double the visitors' advantage.
Marcelo's mishit effort found the far corner for Real's third, but there was no such luck needed for a stunning fourth as Madrid marched from one end of the field to the other in seconds before Isco rounded off a stunning team move.
Betis improved at the start of the second period and got their reward through Alvaro Cejudo's consolation.
However, Madrid's quality shone through once more when Isco curled expertly into the top corner before Cristiano Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet 12 minutes from time.
The Vicente Calderon was briefly stunned by Isaac Cuenca's sensational volley from outside the area to open the scoring.
Carrasco turned the game around before half-time thanks in part to some poor goalkeeping from Guillermo Ochoa.
However, the Mexican was faultless as Carrasco completed his hat-trick with a thumping finish from Griezmann's fine cut-back on hour mark.