As expected, most coaches used the midweek cup games to give a run out to some of their lesser used players, and although first division teams scored 42 goals between them, the majority of the league’s top scorers were rested. Others though took their chances to impress, Real Madrid’s Mariano for example helping himself to a hat-trick against Cultural Leonesa in their second leg tie (brought forward to free up time for the Club World Cup). Sevilla’s Joaquín Correa also scored three goals, as well as provoking two penalties which Ben Yedder converted, and Carrasco and Raúl García both move further up our rankings with a brace apiece.

The big match of the week though was of course the latest “clásico”, a last minute header from Sergio Ramos keeping up Real Madrid’s seven month unbeaten run after Luis Suárez had given Barcelona the lead. None of the other teams competing for the top spots could take advantage though, Atlético held to a 0-0 draw by Espanyol, and Sevilla losing 2-1 at bottom club Granada despite another late penalty from Ben Yedder. The highest scoring game of the weekend though came on Sunday lunchtime, Betis and Celta drawing 3-3, Rubén Castro getting one for the locals from the penalty, and Iago Aspas replying with two for the visitors. Elsewhere Andone scored twice for Depor (his fifth in four games) in a much needed 5-1 victory over Real Sociedad, and Sergi Enrich got a late consolation for Eibar as his side fell to a 3-1 defeat at neighbours Athletic. (06.12.16)

Pichichi League Cup Europe Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 9 1 9 19 (3)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 10 0 2 12 (3)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 9 1 2 12 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 9 0 2 11 (2)
Aduríz (Athletic) 5 0 6 11 (4)
Carrasco (Atlético) 6 2 2 10 (0)
Griezmann (Atlético) 6 0 3 9 (0)
Raúl García (Athletic) 5 2 1 8 (1)
Morata (Real Madrid) 4 2 2 8 (0)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 4 2 2 8 (3)
Willian José (Real Soc) 7 0 0 7 (2)
Gameiro (Atlético) 6 0 1 7 (1)
Bale (Real Madrid) 5 0 2 7 (0)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 6 0 0 6 (1)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Sandro (Málaga) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Neymar (Barcelona) 4 0 2 6 (1)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 4 0 2 6 (0)
Asensio (Real Madrid) 2 2 2 6 (0)
Rafinha (Barcelona) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Andone (Deportivo) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Pedro León (Eibar) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Sergi Enrich (Eibar) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Piatti (Espanyol) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Boateng (Las Palmas) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Duje Cop (Sporting) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Sansone (Villarreal) 5 0 0 5 (1)
Vietto (Sevilla) 4 0 1 5 (0)
Arda Turan (Barcelona) 2 2 1 5 (0)