Five red cards at the weekend, including two in the match between Zaragoza and Villarreal, both for second bookable offences. The first went to an old "Villains" prizewinner Quique Alvarez, who picked up his two yellow cards midway through the first half, and the second went to one of his opponents Cuartero after the Break. Alvarez is now second in our table, but still has a bit of a way to go to catch Lopo. Another old favourite also got his marching orders this weekend, Valencia's Carboni coming up against an officious referee Rubinos Pérez, who cautioned him for the second time late in the game against Barcelona for taking a free kick too quickly.

There were two straight reds as well, Celta's Sergio getting his marching orders with only a quarter of an hour gone when he brought down Málaga's Edgar in the penalty area, and Murcia's new signing Hurtado seeing red late on after holding back Albacete's Aranda as he advanced on goal. And for once the striker didn't have to dive to get a man sent off!

Six players will miss next weekend's games for accumulation of yellow cards, including Athletic Bilbao's Yeste, who can think himself unlucky after getting booked for coming back on the pitch too early. Referee Carmona Méndez did appear to wave him back on though, and Athletic will appeal. Yeste's team mate Urzaiz also picked up a fifth caution of the season, as did Osasuna's Alfredo and Josetxo and Pedro Martí (Villarreal) and Ponzio (Zaragoza) were both given their tenth. (24.02.04)