What a week for our number ones! It would be shorter to make a list of all the keepers who didn't record a clean sheet at the weekend as a record low of 13 goals were scored. In fact no less than ten teams kept their goals against column to zero, with three games ending score-less. Notario heads the chart once again after his side Sevilla recorded their fourth clean sheet in a row, this time in the 0-0 draw at Bizzarri's Valladolid, and no goals either in the matches between Alavés (Juan Pablo) and Barcelona (Bonano), and Osasuna (Sanzol) and Mallorca (Leo Franco). Juan Pablo was deputizing once again for Dutruel, this time due to an injury to the French keeper, and Leo Franco recorded his first sheet for half a season.

Elsewhere Aranzubia saved a penalty to contribute to Athletic's 1-0 win over Valencia, the same result as recorded by Casillas' Real Madrid at Villarreal and Cavallero's Celta at Atlético. Málaga's Contreras can say that he too didn't let in a goal, but he was unfortunately sent off just before half time at Espanyol. His replacement Arnau came on to make his first league appearance since joining almost two seasons ago from Barcelona, but let in a couple of goals in the second half.

Undoubtedly the best news of the day though was the return of Molina at Deportivo after winning his battle against cancer. Irureta brought him back for the game against Rayo, and he was given a standing ovation by fans as he came on. It was a comfortable return, wtih his side winning 2-0, but the score was the least important part of the day. His recovery will give hope to Atlético's Mono Burgos, who himself is convalescing after having a tumour removed from one of his kidneys. . (18.03.03)