Unai is beating all the records so far, and he received his second red card of the season to take an impressive lead in our table. He can consider himself a bit unfortunate this time though, as Depor's Luque fell to the ground almost as an afterthought after realising he wasn't going to reach the ball after the defender's tackle. The young Spanish international was one of four players sent off this weekend, together with McCarthy (Celta), Pablo (Alavés) and Gallardo (Sevilla). Like Unai, McCarthy's red card came for a tackle from behind on Rayo's Azkoitia, and the club are expected to appeal as it was a harsh decision.

The other two got their marching orders for opening their mouths rather than violent play. Pablo left his side with ten men shortly before half time after questioning the referee's parenthood. His club are less than happy with their acting captain's show of irresponsibility, and he could get a longer ban when the referee replies to the disciplinary committee's request for a more detailed report on what he actually said. The silly sending off of the season, to date at least, was Gallardo's verbal suicide at Osasuna. With one yellow card to his name, he was in the process of being substituted when he decided to argue with the referee. A second yellow, and Moisés, waiting on the touchline to come on, had to wait for a later occasion. Madness of youth, we suppose. . (22.10.02)