Barcelona got back to winning ways with two victories within the week, but Real are still sitting pretty at the top of the table.

BARCELONA 4-0 RAYO VALLECANO

We start off with the sole midweek fixture, as Barcelona’s home clash with Rayo Vallecano was rescheduled due to Barca’s involvement in the World Club Championships in December.

Barca put their shock defeat to Getafe behind them, after seeing Alexis Sanchez most notable contribution since arriving at the Camp Nou. He bagged a brace to set Barca on their way to a convincing win over the Primera newcomers, with David Villa adding a third by the time the referee reached for the half-time whistle.

The second half showed no signs of abating, as Lionel Messi marked his contribution five minutes in. But Barca did slow up, easing through the remainder of the match, showing Real Madrid that aren’t giving up the fight just yet.

BARCELONA 5-0 LEVANTE

Their second game of the week was even more convincing, as fourth-placed Levante were swept aside. Players were rotated, which has showed concerns over a lack of strength in depth to be completely unfounded, with players like Cesc Fabregas drafted in.

The former Arsenal man scored the opening two strikes of this rout, with youngster Isaac Cuenca adding the third before half-time. Again the second half saw no let-up for the visitors, with Messi netting his 17^th of the season and Alexis Sanchez adding a fifth to ensure Barca’s home record reads; PL9 W8 D1 L0 F39 A0.

SPORTING GIJON 0-3 REAL MADRID

Managers Manuel Preciado and Jose Mourinho had a very public falling-out last season, with it culminating in Sporting ending the Portuguese tacticians miraculous personal unbeaten home record. Real were in the mood for revenge after that embarrassment and got it in comfortable fashion, by dominating proceedings at El Molinon.

Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo got the goals to keep Real three points clear at the top, with a game in hand on Barcelona, whilst Sporting ended the game with ten men, as Sebastien Eguren saw red for his second booking of the match.

VALENCIA 2-1 ESPANYOL

By Unai Emery’s own admission, Valencia had one eye on their Champions League fixture with Chelsea this week, but still managed to overcome Espanyol at Mestalla. A penalty from Tino Costa set them on their way after just six minutes, but Hector Moreno got the visitors back on level terms on the hour mark.

Emery had wanted to rest key players, but was forced to turn to his stars on the bench, with the ever impressive Roberto Soldado coming on and scoring with his first touch of the game to seal all three points and keep Los Che comfortably third and hot on the heels of Barcelona.

RACING SANTANDER 1-0 VILLARREAL

Racing came into this match manager-less after the resignation of Hector Cuper during the week, but overcame that set-back to record only their second victory of the season. With the club skint and the owner nowhere to be found, this could well just be a little ray of light for the long-suffering Racing fans, but it was one desperately needed in the gloom that has surrounded El Sardinero.

Christian Stuani was the good news that Racing needed, as his first half header was all that was needed to defeat Villarreal, who are desperately in need of the return of their sidelined big names.

SEVILLA 3-0 GETAFE

This has been what Sevilla fans have been asking for. After a slow start to his career in charge of the Andalusian club, coach Marcelino is starting to make his mark on Sevilla, as they romped to the biggest win they’ve had under the new manager.

Federico Fazio gave them a first half lead, heading home a corner, before Manu Del Moral doubled the lead five minutes into the second half. Sevilla fans had to wait a while to see the gloss put on the victory, but in stoppage time Fredi Kanoute made his mark by adding the third and sending Sevilla up to fifth.

REAL SOCIEDAD 3-2 MALAGA

The Jekyll and Hyde show of Malaga was on display again, as a recent return to form was dashed by throwing away a lead against struggling Sociedad. La Real, boosted by their success against Betis last week, came out strongly and went ahead when Martin Demichelis put through his own net after ten minutes.

But Malaga turned the game on its head, as goals in either half from Salomon Rondon and Seba Fernandez. But with time ticking away, Sociedad looked to have snatched a point, when Carlos Vela scored in the last minute of the 90. But worse was to come for Malaga, as Sociedad got the ball back immediately from kick-off and Diego Ifran found the net to seal a momentous win.

ATLETICO MADRID 3-1 RAYO VALLECANO

It was two defeats in a week for Rayo, as defeat at the Nou Camp was followed up with defeat at Vicente Calderon. Gabi, Radamel Falcao and Eduardo Salvio ensured a miserable week for their city rivals from the Vallecas, though Gabi blotted his copybook by gifting Rayo a consolation with an own goal.

OSASUNA 2-1 REAL BETIS

Osasuna are moving along rather nicely without attracting any attention to their recent run of form. That Osasuna are closer to the Champions League places than the relegation zone as we approach Christmas is a real turn-up, but nobody has even mentioned Osasuna in the running for even a European place.

They maintained their unbeaten home record by overcoming Betis, thanks to a last minute goal, but as the old cliché goes, “they all count.” Miguel Flano gave Osasuna the lead in the first half, but they found themselves pegged back when Ruben Castro equalised with ten minutes to go.

There was to be late drama however, as Javad Nekounam scored three minutes in stoppage time to give Osasuna another win to keep this little run going.

MALLORCA 1-1 ATHLETIC BILBAO

These two sides now look set to sit around in mid-table for the rest of the season, if Mallorca aren’t entrenched in a relegation battle. Joaquin Caparros led his new side against his old, and secured another draw that has become something of a speciality for the Islanders since his arrival.

Alvaro Gimenez gave Mallorca the lead after just two minutes, but Fernando Amorebieta equalised on the stroke of half-time as both sides had to settle for a point apiece.

GRANADA 1-0 REAL ZARAGOZA

Back-to-back wins, just as the country was writing off poor little Granada as relegation certainties. However, things do not look good for Zaragoza, as they slipped to the bottom of the table following a run that has seen them fail to win in nearly three months. Odion Ighalo poured yet more salt into that gaping wound Zaragoza call a defence, and propelling the Liga minnows up to 12^th.