Two more from Eto'o midweek, making it four now in four days and 17 in the league, averaging a goal a game. The Cameroonian striker (who currently tops the European list, one ahead of Bremen's Klose and Fiorentina's Toni) promised to get 50 this season, and at this rate who doubts that he will make it? If he doesn't, it may only be because he will be missing a few games next month playing for his country in the Africa Cup.

Elsewhere David Villa got his first goal in four games as Valencia beat Mallorca 3-0, and two ex Pichichi's Diego Tristán and Ronaldo were also on the scorecard, although their respective teams lost embarrassingly at home to ten man Espanyol and to Racing Santander, who were missing four first choice players through suspension. Ewerthon got two more and Diego Milito a third as Zaragoza fought back from two down to beat Athletic, Xabi Prieto got his fourth penalty of the season for Real Sociedad, and Getafe's Güiza responded to Bernd Schuster's tongue lashing to score for the first time in ten league matches. (23.12.05)