Agudo scored in the 90th minute to snatch the win against 10-man Villarreal and pull the visitors level with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Nolito and attacking midfielder Fabian Orellana kept Celta unbeaten through eight rounds after each scored a goal and hit the woodwork in an attractive clash between the two of the league’s best passing teams at El Madrigal Stadium.
Nolito, who has been linked to a move to Barcelona during the winter transfer window, got the winner from a rebound after Orellana’s shot came off the post. Nolito’s sixth goal of the season left him level with Ronaldo and Benzema, and two goals behind Neymar.
Celta’s win left Madrid as leader on goal difference after its 3-0 victory over Levante on Saturday. Celta is second, followed by Barcelona in third after the defending champions routed Rayo Vallecano 5-2, also on Saturday.
"We think we can beat anyone, that we can go to any ground and show that we can win because we are a solid team that works hard and is dangerous," said coach Eduardo Berizzo, whose Celta side stunned Barcelona 4-1 last month.
Villarreal, which entered the round in first place, fell all the way to fifth, two points off the pace.
Atletico Madrid moved into fourth on goal difference with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad, which has just one win this season.
