Atlético Madrid started the new year at the top of the table, Thomas getting the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Levante on Saturday evening. Barcelona though were held to a 0-0 draw at city rivals Espanyol, and Real Madrid drew 2-2 at Valencia, a result which cost the job of coach Rafa Benítez, who was fired the following day. Benzema and Bale twice put the visitors in front, but a Dani Parejo penalty and a Paco Alcácer header saved a point for the Ches. Villarreal are now a point behind Madrid after a 1-2 victory at Deportivo, Bruno getting both of their goals, including a last minute penalty. Depor drop out of the European spots as a result though, below Athletic Bilbao, who drew 2-2 against Las Palmas, Aduríz netting his first goal in five games from the penalty spot, and Williams scoring the second for the Basque side. Eibar meanwhile are up to eighth after a comprehensive 0-4 win at Betis, Borja rounding things off with the goal of the night, and Málaga extended their unbeaten run to six games after a 2-0 victory over Celta, Charles opening the scoring there. And on Monday Sanabria got his sixth of the season for Sporting, albeit that opponents Getafe came back to win 1-2 in the end. (05.01.16)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 15 0 11 26 (2)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 14 0 11 25 (6)
Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao) 11 4 6 21 (3)
Neymar (Barcelona) 14 0 2 16 (4)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 12 0 4 16 (0)
Griezmann (Atlético) 9 0 4 13 (0)
Messi (Barcelona) 6 1 6 13 (1)
Lucas Pérez (Deportivo) 12 0 0 12 (1)
Agirretxe (Real Sociedad) 12 0 0 12 (0)
Borja Bastón (Eibar) 9 1 0 10 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 8 2 0 10 (0)
Bakambu (Villarreal) 6 1 3 10 (0)
Bale (Real Madrid) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Javi Guerra (Rayo) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Gameiro (Sevilla) 7 0 2 9 (4)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 8 0 0 8 (2)
Nolito (Celta) 8 0 0 8 (1)
Alcácer (Valencia) 8 0 0 8 (2)
Williams (Athletic) 6 0 2 8 (0)
Charles (Málaga) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Parejo (Valencia) 5 1 1 7 (3)
Sanabria (Sporting) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Caicedo (Espanyol) 5 1 0 6 (0)
Raúl García (Athletic) 4 1 1 6 (0)
Bruno (Villarreal) 4 0 2 6 (2)
Soldado (Villarreal) 3 1 2 6 (1)
Banega (Sevilla) 3 0 3 6 (3)