Arguably the game of the weekend in Europe came on Saturday when Real Madrid took on Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
Roberto Carlos scored in the 36th minute and Ronaldo in the 73 to give Real their first league win in Barcelona for 20 years. Want-away striker Patrick Kluivert gave Barca a late consolation.
The result has left Barcelona coach fearing for his future at the club. He said: “My situation, like the team’s, is delicate but there is still plenty of time to turn things around. To lose to Real Madrid is difficult for everyone connected to Barcelona.”
Real are currently two points ahead of Valencia, who moved into second place after defeating Athletic Bilbao 2-1.
Homegrown midfield talent, Rodriguez Guillen Vicente scored twice in the 17th and 67th minute to cancel out Santi Ezquerro’s effort.
Deportivo La Coruna slot into third place after beating mid-table Malaga 1-0 with defender Joan Capdevila getting the only goal of the game.
Osasuna occupy fourth place after beating Celta Vigo 3-2. Ex-Coventry City striker John Aloisi, turned in a man-of-the-match performance by scoring two and setting up Ibrahima Bakayoko for the winner.
Fifth place Atletico Madrid cruised past bottom club Espanyol, wining 2-0. Young forward Fernando Torres – who was linked with a £28m move to Chelsea in the summer – scored both goals.
Real Mallorca kept the pressure on Atletico Madrid by beating Valladolid 1-0 thanks to a 15 minute goal from Fernando Correa.
Third from bottom Real Sociedad went down 4-0 at home Real Betis, who had midfielder Mikel Aramburu sent off.
Uruguayan, Inti Podesta helped himself to a brace as Albacete smashed four without reply past Racing Santander.
Servilla narrowly defeated Real Zaragoza 3-2 and Murcia drew with Villarreal 1-1