Thirty one goals in the first division this weekend, compensating for the rather pathetic performances (Valencia excluded) by Spanish clubs in Europe midweek. Diego Tristán got another pair to take him to clear at the top both of the league Pichichi table and on an all competition basis. His current form is attracting the attention of big clubs, with Roma the latest to ask Depor if they would be willing to sell. Tote too is proving to Real Madrid that they have a pearl on their hands if ever they want to fish him back from Valladolid, and he got his sixth of the season to give his side another three points against Villarreal.

It was a weekend for penalties, with no less than seven awarded and six scored, the odd man out being Salva who maybe was a bit too greedy to insist on taking the kick for Valencia and then blew it. He did score earlier though, and Juan Sánchez added to his goal midweek to frustrate Rayo in the end. Mostovoi and Musampa did convert their kicks though and both add to their totals. Salva, Sánchez and Musampa all come in to our chart for the first time, as does the latest young striker to drop off the end of the Las Palmas production line, Rubén. He was only starting a match for the first time this Sunday and got two against Celta, the second a real beauty of a back-heel. Bilbao's Urzaiz also makes it back in to our table after he headed what was to prove to be the winner against Alavés.

The intervention of FIFA, allowing international players to participate in club matches this weekend and join their country squads a day later, meant that Rivaldo could play in the game against Real Madrid. There were high hopes from Barça fans after he scored a late winner for them in the Champions League midweek, but in the end he was kept quiet by Madrid's young defender Pavón and was hardly seen. Birthday boy Figo did get a late goal though against his old club, and Morientes got the other, his first of the season. The decision by FIFA came too late for some clubs though, with Olivera and Darío Silva already in Uruguay, although Darío was suspended anyway (see 'Villains' section for more on that one). Finally Betis top scorer Casas will miss most of the season after doctors confirmed that the broken leg he suffered against Barcelona was worse than at first thought. (05.11.01)