Maniche is a player transformed this season. Unrecognisable from his previous stint and his time at Chelsea. Crucial player, suddenly.

Results:

Almeria 1 Real Betis 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 Espanyol 1
Getafe 1 Deportivo La Coruna 2
Malaga 1 Sporting Gijon 0
Real Madrid 1 Villarreal 0
Recreativo Huelva 3 Numancia 1
Sevilla 1 Osasuna 1
Valladolid 0 Racing Santander 1
Barcelona 3 Mallorca 1
Valencia 3 Atletico Madrid 1

So, that shakes things up a little both at the top and the bottom end of the table. Up top, Valencia are the big winners jumping from fifth to second after David Silva's virtuoso display. Villarreal's defeat at the Bernabau means they drop out of the top six as pressure mounts on the previously invulnerable Manuel Pellegrini, but it could all have been so different had Iker Casillas not bee in inspired form for the hosts. For their part, Real leap into third ahead of Sevilla in fourth, who were dramatically held to a point at home by Osasuna following Walter 'The Rifle' Pandiani's last gasp strike. Barcelona's lead at the top is extended to 11 points but still only 3 points seperate 2nd from sixth.

Replacing Villarreal in the European spot is Deportivo La Coruna, who beat Getafe 2-1 at the Alfonso Perez. Valladolid's European push was dealt a blow by Racing, who were inspired by Nikola Zigic's return on loan. In his first game back, Zigic scored the only goal and Racing jump to 11th. Hugo Sanchez's first game at Almeria ended in a 1-0 win over Real Betis - whose purple patch is well and truly over - and Athletic and Espanyol played out a draw at the San Mames. Recreativo's defeat of Numancia tightens things up at the bottom, with Espanyol and Mallorca two points from safety.

How the table looks:

1 Barcelona 44
2 Valencia 33
3 Real Madrid 32
4 Sevilla 32
5 Atletico Madrid 30
6 Deportivo la Coruna 30
7 Villarreal 29
8 Málaga 25
9 Valladolid 23
10 Getafe C.F 21
11 Racing Santander 21
12 Sporting de Gijón 21
13 Athletic Bilbao 20
14 Almeria 19
15 Real Betis Balompié 18
16 C.D Numancia 17
17 Recreativo Huelva 16
18 Espanyol 14
19 Mallorca 14
20 Osasuna 13

Robben's goal was superb and a good debut for Lassana Diarra for Real

Yeah, not so much for Huntelaar, though.

Apparently Valencia officials are denying reports that Barcalona have got a deal in place to sign David Villa! I'd of thought if he went to any Spanish club it would be Real.

It would figure that he might go there. Considering Eto'o is always making noises about leaving, he would be the perfect replacement. I won't believe it till I see it, however.

Where would Eto'os most likely destination be? Chelsea?

[url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06012009/58/copa-del-rey-messi-hat-trick-inspires-barcelona.htmlMessi[/url scored a hat-trick last night as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Calderon in the first leg of their last 16 Copa Del Rey fixtures. He really is on another level at the moment.

The rest of the Copa fixtures:

Sporting Gijon v Real Valladolid
Sevilla v Deportivo Coruna
Racing Santander v Valencia
Real Union de Irun v Real Betis
Ejido v Espanyol
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao
Real Mallorca v Almeria

Big derby there

To the shock of no-one in particular, Polideportivo Ejido beat Espanyol 3-2 in what has so far been the only 'upset'. Mallorca - Almeria and Osasuna-Athletic takes place tonight.

Mallorca beat Almeria 3-1 and a 92nd minute Fernando Llorente equaliser denied Osasuna. The second legs are played next week.

Preview

Deportivo v Sevilla
Valencia v Villarreal match of the week

Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Mallorca v Real Madrid
Numancia v Getafe
Racing Santander v Recreativo Huelva
Real Betis v Malaga
Sporting Gijon v Valladolid
Espanyol v Almeria
Osasuna v Barcelona

Bottom faces top in La Liga this weekend as Barcelona, unbeaten in La Liga in 16 outings, travel to Navarra to face Jose Antonio Camacho’s Osasuna. The hosts will be boosted following their last-minute equalizer at Sevilla last week but this still has the makings of a horrific mismatch. Pep Guardiola’s men beat Atletico Madrid in midweek and have scored three times as many goals as their opponents.

Second place Valencia, buoyed by the return of the brilliant David Silva, welcome Villarreal to the Mestalla. The yellow submarine are undergoing a wretched run of form whereas Unai Emery’s men are super confident following their demolition of Atletico Madrid last weekend. Nevertheless, Pellegrini will want his side to regain their European spot. Elsewhere on Saturday its an intriguing game in prospect in Galicia as Manolo Jiminez, the subject of white-hanky waving at the Pizjuan last week (harsh) takes his Sevilla side to the Riazor to face a Deportivo team who will be looking to remain in the UEFA cup spots. Lotina’s men are in good form and are a force to be reckoned with at home.

On Sunday, Javier Aguirre will be anxious to put a bad week behind him by leading his side to a victory over Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid visit Mallorca, who remain deeply in relegation trouble while fellow strugglers Espanyol, still searching for their first win under Mané host Almeria, with whom Hugo Sanchez got off to a somewhat better start last weekend. Numancia face Getafe, Sporting Gijon host Valladolid, Malaga visit Andalucian neighbours Betis and Racing clash with Recreativo Huelva in what promises to be the weekend’s ugliest match.

Just watched Barca vs Atletico.

Messi was brilliant, as was Alves. The first goal was world class.

Atletico's defence is so poor you can't defend them, they can't tackle, the organisation, the discipline and the just general quality of the defence is absolutely shocking. Heitinga is so poor.

You definitely got that bit right.

Something for other Athletic fans to ponder. Where once we relied on yeste and Etxeberria, are we now so reliant on Llorente? Awful amount of pressure to heap on the shoulders of one so young.

He is a bit special, isn't he?

Just a bit...

His first goal with Alves was brilliant, they've only been playing together for a few months, but this was like a classic strike partnership link up, you wouldn't believe he was linking with his full back. Saying that, Alves isn't your average full back, is he?

Brazil don't do full-backs.

Fabio Aurelio

But if they did...



Really looking forward to the Valencian derby tonight.

Valencia, 2-0; Villa and Mata bagging two either side of half time.

Point proved beyond any doubt whatsoever.

Depor/Sevilla first up too, could be two good games tonight.

Ramos whinging about whether to play Huntelaar or Higuain, the choices some people have to make ehh?

Also Atletico really do need to pull together in defence or there is going to be many goals leaked this end of the season

Doesn't want to be called a Franco sympathyser

Kanoute has just played himself onto Soccer AM's Showboat next week

Valencia are hammering Villarreal on the counter here. The attacking 4 are near unstoppable at the moment.


That Unitt on your avatar, norvern?