Four red cards in the midweek cup matches, two each in the games between Betis and Valencia, and between Zaragoza and Racing Santander. Valencia's "striker - turned - right back" Arizmendi was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after the break, and Betis midfielder Somoza followed soon afterwards for a similar reason. And in the other tie, Zaragoza's Sergio was sent off for giving away a penalty on Serrano late on, and Racing's Luis Fernández followed him down the tunnel for a two-footed tackle on D'Alessandro.

Two more reds at the weekend, with Deportivo's Pablo Amo, making his first league appearance of the season, going from hero to villain in a few minutes. The central defender scored one of Depor's goals against Villarreal, but then got himself sent off for giving away a penalty on Tomasson. And Sevilla defender Escudé will miss the midweek cup tie against Barcelona after being shown a straight red for catching Bilbao's Aduriz with a flying elbow. Six players will join them on the sidelines after picking up their fifth bookings, including Mané (Almería), Juanito and Xisco (Betis), Tommasi (Levante), Ayoze (Racing) and Bouzón (Recreativo). (15.01.08)