Almost all the football games in La Liga this weekend provided talking points to debate over the internet, in the pub, around the kitchen table etc.
What happened in the Mestalla will be debated for days to come but, even aside from the top-of-the-table clash, this was a live betting feast of action for sports betting fans.
Maybe, just maybe, there is a glimpse of a title race forming once again too.
Celta Vigo 1-0 Leganes
How Vigo needed this!
An Iago Aspas penalty settled a close contest and took his tally for the season to seven.
The luckless visitors had injuries and were indebted to fine saves from goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar to keep the score down.
Alaves 1-2 Eibar
Alaves now have a mini mountain to climb.
Goals from Joan Jordán and Charles earned the visitors three crucial points and some breathing space.
Both sides finished with 10 men but it is Eibar who have the Basque bragging rights, while Alaves swiftly terminated the contract of coach Gianni De Biasi – he only arrived in September!
Real Madrid 3-2 Malaga
Just when Madrid were in danger of dropping more points, step forward the world’s top player.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winner 14 minutes from time, after his penalty had been saved, reacting quickly to slot the rebound home.
Malaga remain in the bottom three but can take heart from this showing.
Real Betis 2-2 Girona
What a finish!
Just when Portugues Manzanera showed yet again he has a knack for scoring at the right time – his 94th-minute goal adding to his first-half injury-time opener – so Betis fought back.
Cristian Tello replied just 60 seconds later to somehow rescue a point for the hosts, who had equalised with only five minutes of normal time remaining.
Levante 0-5 Atletico Madrid
From the moment Roberto Suárez Pier put through his own net five minutes in, Atletico were on their way to a comprehensive victory.
This was more like it from Diego Simeone’s side with Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann particularly impressive.
The Rojiblancos are up to third on goal difference, still unbeaten and have now gone 19 away La Liga matches without defeat.
Deportivo La Coruna 2-2 Athletic Bilbao
Both teams needed to win but neither could afford to lose.
This four-goal contest was feisty as Deportivo twice fought back.
The Galicians ultimately earned a point through Fabian Schar’s leveller.
Real Sociedad 2-2 Las Palmas
There’s still life in the Canary Island club!
Off the bottom, how important Jonathan Viera’s 67th-minute equaliser could be is, as yet, unclear.
But it certainly frustrated European chasing Sociedad who were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as they missed a chance to put pressure on the sides directly above them.
It could have been worse for the hosts who were saved twice by the woodwork late on.
Villarreal 2-3 Sevilla
Any more of this and Sevilla will be crowned the comeback kings of Europe!
After their stunning Champions League recovery against Liverpool, here was another spirited showing as goals from Clement Lenglet, Franco Vazquez and Ever Banega, from the penalty spot, sealed a 3-2 victory.
All this after La Liga player of the month, Cedric Bakambu, and Carlos Bacca had given the Yellow Submarine a two-goal advantage.
A superb comeback for Sevilla in the Estado de la Ceramica and a morale booster as coach Eduardo Berizzo prepares to undergo cancer surgery.
Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
In case you didn’t notice, this top-of-the-table clash ended 1-1 and both sides remain unbeaten with Barca four points clear at the summit.
That’s because before and after Rodrigo and Jordi Alba – against his former club – traded goals, it was the Mestalla controversy which everyone was talking about.
The first half shot from Lionel Messi, fresh from signing a new contract, which had crossed the line before goalkeeper Neto scooped the ball out and the referee then promptly ruled out.
Defeat would have been very harsh on Barcelona who were naturally rattled by the decision.
Despite this, there are no plans to introduce the Hawk-Eye technology in La Liga until next season.
RCD Espanyol 1-0 Getafe
An important win for the hosts as they move level on points with their opponents.
Gerard Moreno’s close-range finish 11 minutes after the re-start proved enough to secure a much-needed three points and end Getafe’s run of four matches unbeaten.
Never mind the quality, feel the width between these two and the perennial strugglers.
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