In the seventh and final Clasico of 2011, Real Madrid knew that a win would send them six points ahead of bitter rivals Barca with a game in hand.
And Jose Mourinho's league-leading side made a lightning start by going in front after just 22 seconds - the quickest lead in Clasico history.
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes' poor clearance fell to the feet of Real's Angel Di Maria, who drilled the ball into the penalty area only for Sergio Busquets to block its progress.
The rebound fell to Mesut Oezil and his volley deflected off Busquets, before Karim Benzema was able to lash home from six yards.
Real continued to impress and they could have doubled their lead when Cristiano Ronaldo skewed his shot wide, though Di Maria was perhaps better placed to his right.
The hosts were in control, with Barcelona's opportunities limited to counter-attacks. But the visitors levelled proceedings on the half-hour mark through Chile forward Alexis Sanchez.
Lionel Messi was the provider, with the 24-year-old skipping by several challenges before sliding a weighted through ball to Sanchez to fire home expertly from the edge of the area
Both sides went into the break locked at 1-1, but that changed eight minutes after half-time, when Barcelona were handed the lead thanks to a large slice of fortune.
Xavi's speculative volley 25 yards from goal took a massive deflection off Marcelo to wrong-foot Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, with the ball spinning off the post and into the back of the net.
Ronaldo then wasted another good opportunity, with the Real captain heading wide despite being completely unmarked inside the penalty area.
The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy, as a quick counter-attack ended with Cesc Fabregas scoring his eighth goal for his new club.
Messi slid the ball out to Dani Alves on the right, who whipped in a terrific cross towards the backpost. It was met by an unmarked Fabregas, who headed home.
Real had some late opportunities to get themselves back into the contest, but Barca held firm to move to the top of the La Liga table.
There was more great drama in Seville, as a pair of goals to Ruben Castro in injury time saw Real Betis defeat Valencia 2-1.
A Dorado own-goal handed Valencia the lead with 24 minutes remaining, but Castro - who scored 27 goals last Segunda Division season for the club - made two telling interventions late in the piece.
The other La Liga match on Saturday saw Levante move five points clear in fourth after they defeated Sevilla 1-0, thanks to Nano's second-half goal.
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