They had to come from a goal down but another good performance from the Blue and Whites as they beat Valladolid 2-1.
Manucho put the visitors ahead after just 9 minutes but strikes by Isco and Joaquin secured the points for Malaga who remain third, three points ahead of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid put in an adequate performance to overcome Celta de Vigo with goals from Higuain and, from the penalty, Cristiano Ronaldo. Plenty of shots on goal from Real but most were not really on target.