Woah boys, that's getting a bit carried away now! I know we complained that you players were being big softies on the opening day, but seven red cards is a bit too much! Seriously though it was a near record haul, especially as five of the expulsions were straight reds. No doubt the ones though that hit all the headlines were for Real Madrid's two new signings Sergio Ramos, who picked up two bookings in the match against Espanyol, and Baptista, who got a straight red for a late tackle which left Jonathan writhing on a stretcher (luckily there was nothing broken and he will be back in two weeks or so).

The Madrid pair were not the only big names to feature though, with straight reds for Atlético's Pablo Ibañez and Valencia's Baraja, as well as Osasuna's Clavero and Sevilla's Kepa (that game always produces a few fireworks). And Deportivo's Munitis also had to go after picking up a second booking for a totally unnecessary hand ball. All in all a busy week for the disciplinary commitee who, as expected, let Mallorca's Ballesteros off one of his yellow cards and consequently a one match ban last weekend. Oh, and a last word for Getafe's Matellán, first name Anibal (as in canibal). He is one of three players to get booked in all three of the opening games, and he also gave away two penalties at the weekend. A rival for Anthony Hopkins? (19.09.05)