Good results for the three Spanish sides in Europe this week, even though they only managed one goal between the three of them in their semi-final first legs. Giuly's goal though at AC Milan set up Barcelona for the return game in the Nou Camp, and Sevilla's 0-0 draw at Schalke and Villarreal's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal gave both sides hope of reaching their respective finals.

So back to the league at the weekend, as is history about to repeat itself? Samuel Eto'o's lead in the Pichichi table looked unassailable, but with the Blaugrana not playing at Sevilla due to a waterlogged pitch, David Villa took advantage to close the gap to two goals with an incredible hat-trick in a five minute period late in the game at Bilbao. Elsewhere Tamudo scored an important goal to take Espanyol to the brink of safety despite missing two penalties, and Pernía proved once again that he is the most on-form defender in Spain at the moment with his tenth of the season from a free kick. (24.04.06)