European competitions returned this week, Messi in particular getting off to an electrifying start on Tuesday with his eighth Champions League hat-trick against PSV. Dembélé also scored as Barça went on to win 4-0. Later in the evening Atlético came back from a goal down to beat Mónaco 1-2, Diego Costa and Giménez the scorers there, and on Wednesday Real Madrid beat Roma 3-0 with goals from Isco, Bale and Mariano. The only downside was Valencia’s 0-2 defeat against Ronaldo’s new side, Juventus, although the ex Real Madrid striker got himself sent off early on, so he won’t be troubling Messi for a bit. On Thursday Sevilla started off their Europa League proper with a 5-1 win over Standard Liège, Banega and Ben Yedder getting two each and Franco Vázquez one in between. Villarreal were held to a 2-2 draw by Rangers, Bacca and Moreno twice giving the locals the lead, and Betis opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw at Olympiacos.

.A high scoring weekend in the league, Sevilla in particular beating Levante 2-6, with Ben Yedder adding a first half hat-trick to the two he scored midweek, and André Silva and Sarabia also on the scoresheet. Roger got one back for the locals. Messi is back at the top of our chart though after he opened the scoring against Girona, although Barça could only draw 2-2 against Girona after they had a man sent off, Stuani getting both goals for the visitors. Elsewhere Ibai Gómez scored twice as Alavés thrashed Rayo Vallecano 1-5 to go third, and Iago Aspas got a brace and Maxi Gómez a third for Celta, although they were eventually pegged back to 3-3 by Valladolid. (24.09.18)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 5 0 3 8 (0)
Sarabia (Sevilla) 1 1 6 8 (0)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 3 0 4 7 (0)
Stuani (Girona) 5 0 0 5 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 4 0 1 5 (1)
Dembélé (Barcelona) 3 1 1 5 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 4 0 0 4 (0)
Roger (Levante) 4 0 0 4 (0)
André Silva (Sevilla) 4 0 0 4 (0)
Bale (Real Madrid) 3 0 1 4 (0)
Ibai Gómez (Alavés) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Maxi Gómez (Celta) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Angel (Getafe) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Alex Gallar (Huesca) 3 0 0 3 (0)
Morales (Levante) 3 0 0 3 (1)
Ramos (Real Madrid) 2 0 1 3 (3)
Franco Vázquez (Sevilla) 1 0 2 3 (0)
Diego Costa (Atlético) 0 0 3 3 (0)
Banega (Sevilla) 0 0 3 3 (1)

* Includes European Super Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup