Luis Fabiano is going from strength to strength, and he followed up his goal in the cup with two in the league against city rivals Betis on Sunday evening (OK, one was with his arm!). And Kanouté also scored from the spot in injury time in the extraordinary cup tie against Denia, consolidating the top two spots for the Andalusian side. They are followed by Atlético's front pairing Forlán and Agüero, who both hit the target against Deportivo at the weekend. Last year's Pichichi Van Nistelrooy is closing up on them though, and he and Robinho got the goals against Zaragoza to keep Real Madrid seven points clear at the top.

Víctor Fernández's side did better in the cup - just - after winning through in the last minute against Pontevedra with strikes from Diego Milito (a penalty), Oliveira and Sergio García. Güiza got two, including a penalty, as Mallorca came back to overturn a first leg result against Osasuna, and Rossi was also on the scorecard for Villarreal on his return after an injury lay-off. Tamudo is in top form as well, and he scored the winner in the cup against Deportivo and then got two against Villarreal on Saturday, taking him level with Luis Fabiano in the fight for the league Pichichi, for 24 hours at least. (07.01.08)