Real Madrid went one better than Barcelona in the midweek round of matches. The Catalans had hit six past poor old Sporting Gijón at the weekend, but Real got seven, including a hat-trick for Rafa Van der Vaart, two for Raúl and one each for Higuaín and Robben. And all that with top scorer Van Nistelrooy on the bench! Rafa's goals make him joint top scorer in the league together with Sinama-Pongolle, who got one for Atlético at Getafe, and David Villa, who got both of Valencia's goals at Málaga.

Barça meanwhile won 3-2 against Betis, although it took a late Gudjohnsen strike to win it after the visitors had come back from two down. Eto'o got both for Pep Guardiola's side, and depending on whether you accept that that "oh so controversial" goal last season was his or not, it was either his 99th or his 100th for the club! (26.09.08)