It seems our comments last week have provoked a reaction. After three months of low scores, this weekend produced a record 33 goals in the ten matches in play. The highest scorers were Real Madrid, with five against Levante including two from Ronaldo and another from super-sub Michael Owen, followed by Osasuna who hit four against Sevilla. Oliveira got a brace to make it eight goals from the last nine matches, taking him second in the league Pichichi race behind Eto'o and level with Urzaiz,. who scored together with Ezquerro to give Athletic a convincing win against Racing. Baraja and Guayre also come in to our rankings this week after their fifth goals in all competitions.

Guayre also scored midweek as six Spanish sides were in action in Europe, the striker-converted-winger converting back to striker for a couple of games with so many of Villarreal's forwards unavailable. His goal against Middlesbrough set his side up for a possible passage through to the last 32 of the UEFA cup, where they could be joined by Sevilla, who fought back in sub-zero temperatures to draw 1-1 in St. Petersburg thanks to a late strike by Baptista.

In the Champions' League our chart topper Eto'o was on target again as Barcelona got the point they wanted against Celtic, Raúl saved a point for Real Madrid against Leverkusen and Di Vaio struck the winner for Valencia to keep their hopes of qualification alive. No such luck for Deportivo though, who are out of Europe completely having not scored one single goal in five games. (29.11.04)