A successful week for the seven Spanish sides taking part in Europe, with all more or less achieving their objectives. Real Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track, with Raúl finally getting his name on the scoresheet (twice) after a drought of almost a year, Van Nistelrooy also getting two to celebrate the birth of his baby daughter, and Reyes making it five against Dynamo Kiev. Barcelona struggled against Werder Bremen before a late strike from Messi saved a point, but the bad news for the Blaugrana was a serious knee injury to Eto'o which is expected to keep last year's Pichichi out for around five months. Elsewhere David Villa got the winner as Valencia beat their closest rivals Roma 2-1.

And so to Thursday's UEFA cup, where all four Spanish sides qualified for the league stage. Baiano and Pandiani got a brace each for Celta and Espanyol respectively, and Kepa was on target to wrap things up for Sevilla. Osasuna didn't score,, but a 0-0 draw also saw them through.

It is the Valencia front pairing who top our chart though after the weekend round of league games, Villa scoring twice and Morientes once as the Chés outclassed a brave Nàstic side. With Eto'o out of the running it is hard to see who will challenge them, although Diego Forlán (Pichichi two years ago) threw down the gauntlet with two at Mallorca. Raúl got another as Madrid drew 1-1 with neighbours Atlético, sending a message to Luis Aragonés who had just dropped him from Spain's squad, and Diego Milito, Zigic and Kapo also scored their third goals of the current campaign. (02.10.06)