After a week that saw La Liga’s top three within only a few points of one another, league leaders Real Madrid now have some breathing room.
Los Blancos earned a comprehensive 3-0 home victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday evening, a strong result after being eliminated in the Copa del Rey.
Earlier that same day, surprise results struck their closest opposition in the league table. Ten-man Sevilla lost 3-1 away to Espanyol, while a controversial 1-1 draw saw Barcelona drop points at Real Betis.
Real Madrid are four points clear of both Sevilla and Barcelona, with a game in-hand.
We take a look at La Liga’s best players for Matchweek 20.
GK – Keylor Navas – Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid’s victory featured strong defensive positioning and an excellent performance by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
The Costa Rica international recorded three saves and helped keep a clean sheet.
LB – Theo Hernandez – Deportivo Alaves
Alaves gained an impressive point at home in a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid, with left-back Theo Hernandez contributing greatly to stopping the visitors’ attack.
Currently on loan from Los Rojiblancos, the 19-year old defender made quite the impression on his parent club.
CB – Mauricio Lemos – UD Las Palmas
Las Palmas earned a 3-1 victory over Valencia on Monday evening, with centre-back Mauricio Lemos making an impact on both ends of the pitch.
Lemos scored a spectacular, curling free-kick in the 57th minute to give Los Amarillos a 2-1 advantage.
CB – Florian Lejeune – SD Eibar
Eibar’s 3-1 victory against Deportivo de La Coruna featured top-class defending from centre-back Florian Lejeune, as well as scoring the home side’s third goal in the second half.
Eibar are now tenth in the table, level on points with Espanyol and one point behind of eighth-place Celta Vigo.
RB – Marc Navarro – RCD Espanyol
Primarily part of Espanyol B thus far this season, 21-year old right-back Marc Navarro enjoyed a day to remember against Sevilla on Sunday.
Navarro scored a goal and assisted another in the 3-1 victory.
MF – Mateo Kovacic – Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid’s midfield was in top form on Sunday, with Croatian international Mateo Kovacic leading the way.
Kovacic scored the match’s opening goal and assisted the second strike.
MF – Iker Muniain – Athletic Bilbao
Down 1-0 at halftime, Athletic Bilbao secured a 2-1 victory against Sporting Gijon thanks to the efforts of Iker Muniain in the second half.
The Spanish midfielder equalised with a goal in the 50th minute and put constant pressure on the visitors.
MF – Bruno Soriano – Villarreal CF
With the opening goal and sharp passing throughout the encounter, Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano lead Villarreal to a 2-0 home victory over Granada on Saturday.
Villarreal are now in sixth place, one point behind Real Sociedad.
FW – Luis Suarez – Barcelona
Barcelona’s afternoon was full of frustration at Real Betis, but forward Luis Suarez was able to salvage a point on their travels.
Suarez scored in the 90th minute of the 1-1 draw.
FW – Sergi Enrich – SD Eibar
Striker Sergi Enrich was a crucial part of Eibar’s attack on Saturday, making matters tough for Deportivo’s defence.
Enrich scored a goal and assisted on two more in the 3-1 victory.
FW – Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid’s defence and midfield were superb against Real Sociedad, as was the play of superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo scored Madrid’s second goal and was a constant presence in the opposition’s half of the pitch.
