Things got serious this weekend, with six red cards in all. Deportivo's Omar Bravo was probably unlucky to get one of them though, the referee sending him off for a challenge on Mallorca's Moyà which appeared to be a 50/50 ball, even though the keeper came out of it worse. Later in the game Mallorca defender David Navarro (he of the famous long ban for chasing and hacking down an opponent whilst at Valencia) was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Two straight red cards in the regional derby between Almería and Málaga, with visiting midfielder Miguel Angel the first to go and local captain José Ortíz following not long after he came on as substitute, both for violent conduct. Sporting Gijón defender Gerard Autet was sent for an early bath after bringing down Messi as he advanced on goal (not the first to do so), and Osasuna's Azpilicueta was sent off for a second bookable offence in the game at Valencia.

Everything starts again on Wednesday, with a full programme of midweek matches. No rest for the wicked (except of course for the six mentioned above, who will have to sit out one match bans)! (23.09.08)