If over the last two weeks it has been the Athletic Bilbao left backs who have been getting their marching orders, now it is the Osasuna goalkeepers. Elía stepped in for his first league appearance of the season in place of the suspended Ricardo, but he only lasted fifty minutes before getting a red card for pulling down Almería's Negredo by the scruff of his neck. Osasuna manager Cuco Ziganda couldn't control his anger (there's a poem there somewhere?), and he followed his player down the tunnel a couple of minutes later after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

Three more red cards as well this weekend, including one for Getafe striker Kepa, who came on as sub, scored, and then got sent off for kicking Mejía. Short but not very sweet! Valencia's Iván Helguera let Bodipo get the better of him and was shown two yellows in as many minutes at the end of the match at Deportivo (at his age he should have known better), and Betis captain Juanito was also despatched for a second bookable offence after giving away a penalty against Racing.

Elsewhere three players reached the five yellow card threshold and will miss the next match, Atlético's Pernía, Levante's Bruno Cirillo and Barcelona's Deco (who will in any case be out for a month or so after picking up an injury later on against Villarreal). (23.10.07)