Real Madrid retained their lead at the head of La Liga with a 3-1 win on the road against Hercules. Goals from Di Maria and a brace from Ronaldo prevented their hosts from securing another shock result after David Trezeguet had given his side an early lead.

Champions Barcelona are hot on their bitter rivals heels following a 5-0 demolition of Sevilla which included a couple of goals each from David Villa and Lionel Messi. Villarreal slipped up and only a penalty late into injury time saved a point on their visit to Sporting Gijon. In the chasing pack, only Majorca could muster a win and their 2-1 victory over Levante put them into 7^th.

Real Zaragoza battled to a good point at Valencia despite having Herrera Ander sent off. Maurizio Lanzaro gave them a third minute lead but undid his own good work with an own goal just before half time. Despite the result they are bottom of the table with Deportivo beating Espanyol 3-0 to join Malaga on 7 points.

Ruben de la Red has finally taken medical advice and ended his playing career to join the staff of Real Madrid. He collapsed during a match against Real Union and was diagnosed with a heart problem. With similar incidents having claimed the lives of two players in Spain in recent years, many will see the decision of the 25 year-old as a sensible one.