The cup matches involving Real Madrid and Sevilla were brought forward to this Wednesday to free up time for their international commitments in December, and both clocked up big wins against lower division opposition. Real Madrid kicked off first with a 1-4 victory against second division B side Cornellà, Varane heading in two goals and Chicharito and Marcelo also on the scoresheet. And later in the evening Sevilla thrashed Sabadell 1-6, Iago Aspas helping himself to a hat-trick, including a penalty, and Kolodziejczak, Gameiro (also with a penalty) and Reyes getting the other three.

Madrid were back in action on Saturday, and they beat Granada 0-4 to move clear at the top of the first division, Cristiano Ronaldo opening the scoring early on, James adding two and Benzema one in between. Ronaldo has now scored in the last twelve games he has played in, which even for him is a new record. Barcelona though lost for the second game in a row, Celta’s Larrivey scoring the only goal in the Nou Camp to give his side their first victory there in 73 years. Strangely the two defeats coincided with Luis Suárez’s first two games for Barça, and even with a frightening front three of Suárez-Messi-Neymar they were unable to score at home for the first time in 57 matches.

Valencia and Atlético Madrid both moved above Barcelona as well, the Ches winning 1-3 at Villarreal with two from centre back Mustafi, and Atlético beating Córdoba 4-2, Griezmann netting twice (although some sources give the first as an own goal by Luso), and Manzukic also on target. Ghilas got both goals for the visitors. Sevilla missed out on a chance to go top though after losing 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Aduríz’s early strike enough to give the Basque side only their second league win of the season. Later in the evening Elche moved out of the drop zone after a 2-1 victory over Espanyol, Jonathas helping himself to a brace before Stuani got one back late on from the penalty spot, and on Monday two goals in minute by Leo Baptistao were not enough to save Rayo from a 2-3 defeat against Eibar, Arruabarrena a double goal-scorer for the visitors. (04.11.14)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 17 0 5 22 (6)
Neymar (Barcelona) 9 0 2 11 (0)
Messi (Barcelona) 7 0 2 9 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 5 0 4 9 (0)
Larrivey (Celta) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Bacca (Sevilla) 7 0 0 7 (3)
Mandzukic (Atlético) 4 1 2 7 (0)
Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao) 4 0 3 7 (1)
Baptistao (Rayo Vallecano) 6 0 0 6 (0)
James (Real Madrid) 4 1 1 6 (0)
Vietto (Villarreal) 3 0 3 6 (0)
Nolito (Celta) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Jonathas (Elche) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Stuani (Espanyol) 5 0 0 5 (1)
Bale (Real Madrid) 4 0 1 5 (0)
M`bia (Sevilla) 3 0 2 5 (0)
Bueno (Rayo Vallecano) 4 0 0 4 (1)
Alcácer (Valencia) 4 0 0 4 (0)
Chicharito (Real Madrid) 3 0 1 4 (0)
Uche (Villarreal) 3 0 1 4 (0)
Griezmann (Atlético) 2 0 2 4 (0)
Aspas (Sevilla) 0 3 1 4 (1)