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Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week

Sports Mole picks out its 11 star performers from another week of enthralling La Liga action.

Real Madrid took control of the La Liga title race this weekend, with Carlo Ancelotti's side moving four points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who lost at home to Malaga for the first time in the league since 1999.

Reigning champions Atletico Madrid are now seven points behind Real Madrid, meanwhile, following a routine 3-0 win over Almeria on Saturday.

Week 24's action opened from the Spanish capital on Friday, with Getafe overcoming Espanyol 2-1 to move seven points clear of the drop zone.

Saturday's opening match brought the shock result of the weekend – and one of the shocks of the season – as Barcelona lost 1-0 at home to Malaga.

Valencia took control of fourth position in the next fixture with a 2-1 win at struggling Cordoba, before Atletico beat Almeria. Celta Vigo continued their excellent run, meanwhile, with a 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

Real Sociedad beat Sevilla 4-3 in Sunday's early start after scoring twice in the final 10 minutes, before Sociedad's Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao overcame Rayo Vallecano courtesy of a late strike from Aritz Aduriz.

Villarreal took advantage of Sevilla's slip with a 1-0 win over Eibar, before Real Madrid ended the weekend's action with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Elche.

On Monday, Levante scored twice in the final two minutes against nine-man Granada to secure a 2-1 victory on their own patch.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its 11 star performers from another week of La Liga action.

Jonathan Lopez (Getafe)
Espanyol had seven shots on target against Getafe on Friday, but could only force a late consolation in their 2-1 defeat. The hosts defended well, but they had to rely on their goalkeeper to make a string of excellent saves.

Pepe (Real Madrid)
This season, the Portuguese has been a calming influence at the heart of the Real Madrid back four and that continued at the weekend. The centre-back was strong and composed in his side's 2-0 win over Elche.
Weligton (Malaga)
The Brazilian was just excellent in his side's 1-0 win at Barcelona on Saturday. The experienced defender made a number of excellent blocks, while he dealt impressively with the Catalan outfit's attacking threat.
Miguel Torres (Malaga)
All four of Malaga's defenders were excellent at the Camp Nou, but Torres has to make this team alongside Weligton. Neymar found it difficult to get the better of the Spaniard, who did not put a foot wrong.

Pablo Piatti (Valencia)
The 25-year-old scored the winner in Valencia's 2-1 win at Cordoba on Saturday, which strengthened their grip on fourth. The hosts found it difficult to contain the Argentine, who had a super match in a wide position.
Sergi Darder (Malaga)
The midfielder's performances this season have been of a very high level and he had another super 90 minutes at the Camp Nou. The Spaniard was absolutely everywhere as he bossed matters in the middle of the park.
Isco (Real Madrid)
The Spaniard was clapped off the field in Real Madrid's 2-0 win at Elche on Sunday after a sensational performance. He set up Cristiano Ronaldo for his side's second late on, but his overall work was what most impressed.
Xabi Prieto (Real Sociedad)
Prieto scored twice as Sociedad beat Sevilla 4-3 on Sunday, including the winner in the final minute. It was a real captain's performance from the midfielder, who pulled his team through the final 10 minutes.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
The Frenchman continued his excellent run of form with a brace in Atletico's 3-0 win over Almeria on Saturday. The visitors just could not live with the attacker, who combined superbly with Mario Mandzukic.
Mario Mandzukic (Atletico Madrid)
The striker played just an hour against Almeria, but got through plenty of work – netting early on from the penalty spot, before setting up Griezmann for both of the Frenchman's goals. Has been in excellent form.
David Barral (Levante)
With 87 minutes on the clock, Levante were heading for defeat at home to nine-man Granada, but two goals in the final three minutes turned the match on its head. Barral scored the winner to cap a strong performance.

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La Liga Team of the Week
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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