The New Year started with the fifth round, first leg of the Spanish cup, with twelve teams from the top flight, and four “invitados” from the lower ranks. No real surprises however, Diego Costa celebrating his return to Atlético Madrid scoring with his first touch against regional side Lleida, and Griezmann completing a 0-4 victory. Real Madrid virtually secured their place in the quarter finals with a 0-3 win at Numancia, Bale converting one of two penalties there, and a late goal from Rodrigo gave Valencia a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas after Calleri had given the Canary Islanders the lead. Espanyol are in trouble though after they lost 1-2 to Levante, Gerard Moreno’s early strike overturned later on.

The league resumed at the weekend, Barcelona maintaining their lead with a 3-0 victory over Levante, Messi, Luis Suárez and Paulinho the scorers there. Atlético and Valencia both won as well, but Real Madrid lost more ground with the top three after they could only draw 2-2 at Celta, a brace from Bale being cancelled out by a late strike by Maxi Gómez. Elsewhere an amazing local derby between Sevilla and Betis ended with a 3-5 win for the visitors, Ben Yedder getting one for the locals and Sergio León amongst the scorers for the away side, and Athletic Bilbao are back in the running for the European spots after they beat local rivals Alavés 2-0, Aduríz wrapping things up with a second half penalty. (09.01.18)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 16 1 3 20 (3)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 4 1 11 16 (3)
Aduríz (Athletic) 7 0 8 15 (6)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 5 2 8 15 (2)
Bakambu (Villarreal) 9 2 3 14 (1)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 11 1 0 12 (2)
Willian José (Real Soc) 7 0 5 12 (2)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 11 0 0 11 (0)
Zaza (Valencia) 10 0 0 10 (0)
Rodrigo (Valencia) 8 2 0 10 (1)
Maxi Gómez (Celta) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Stuani (Girona) 9 0 0 9 (0)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 7 2 0 9 (2)
Sergio León (Betis) 6 2 0 8 (0)
Santi Mina (Valencia) 6 2 0 8 (1)
Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) 6 0 2 8 (0)
Griezmann (Atlético) 5 1 2 8 (1)
Bacca (Villarreal) 5 1 2 8 (0)
Raúl García (Athletic) 4 1 3 8 (1)
Paulinho (Barcelona) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Sanabria (Betis) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Calleri (Las Palmas) 4 3 0 7 (0)
Asensio (Real Madrid) 4 3 0 7 (1)
Bale (Real Madrid) 4 1 2 7 (1)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup