With European competitions taking a short break this week, there was time to fit in a midweek round of league fixtures. And what a round of games it was, with 36 goals scored, and Barcelona over taking Real Madrid at the top of the table after thrashing Sporting Gijón 6-1. Luis Suárez scored two of those (the first originally being attributed to an own goal, but both the referee and the LFP awarding it to him), and Messi, Neymar, Rakitic and Suárez’s half time replacement Alcácer also on the scoresheet. Madrid drop to second, albeit with a game still in hand, after drawing 3-3 at home to Las Palmas. It was their second epic fight back in four days, this time Ronaldo saving a point with two in the last four minutes, including a penalty, despite playing most of the second half with ten men.

Sevilla are still in contention for the title though after a 1-0 win over Athletic, and Atlético stay fourth after a 1-1 draw at Deportivo. Griezmann equalized for Simeone’s side, although the game was overshadowed by what looked like a serious head injury to Fernando Torres, which thankfully turned out to be just a scare. Real Sociedad could have squeezed past Atleti had they been able to beat neighbours Eibar, and although Juanmi and Vela scored for them, a last gasp strike by Pedro León made it 2-2 in the end. Eibar are one of several teams who are still in the running for the European spots, although Celta and Espanyol dropped further behind sixth placed Villarreal after a 2-2 draw, Iago Aspas and Gerard Moreno amongst the scorers there. (03.03.17)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 21 5 10 35 (5)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 20 5 2 27 (0)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 18 1 6 25 (6)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 14 2 3 19 (4)
Griezmann (Atlético) 10 4 4 18 (0)
Aduríz (Athletic) 8 1 7 16 (6)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 8 5 2 15 (3)
Gameiro (Atlético) 9 2 2 13 (2)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 5 1 7 13 (0)
Arda Turan (Barcelona) 3 6 4 13 (0)
Carrasco (Atlético) 8 2 2 12 (0)
Morata (Real Madrid) 8 2 2 12 (0)
Sergi Enrich (Eibar) 10 1 0 11 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 9 2 0 11 (2)
Juanmi (Real Sociedad) 7 4 0 11 (0)
Neymar (Barcelona) 7 2 2 11 (3)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 10 0 0 10 (0)
Vietto (Sevilla) 6 3 1 10 (0)
Pedro León (Eibar) 8 1 0 9 (0)
Sandro (Málaga) 7 2 0 9 (0)
Bale (Real Madrid) 7 0 2 9 (0)
Sarabia (Sevilla) 6 2 1 9 (1)
Raúl García (Athletic) 5 3 1 9 (1)

* Includes Club World Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup