Sports Mole's La Liga Team of the Week

Phew, what a weekend of action it has been in La Liga. Defeat for Real Madrid has left them eight points behind Barcelona, who beat Getafe 4-1 on Saturday.

There were also victories for Malaga, Valencia and Real Sociedad, plus the small matter of a seven-goal thriller between Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.

There were also three draws as the early stage of the season begins to take shape. Barcelona currently occupy top spot with four wins from four games, but who will sit atop the pile come May?

Here, Sports Mole picks out the 11 players that made their mark in La Liga this weekend.

Andres Palop (Sevilla)
When you beat Real Madrid you usually need your goalkeeper to play well. And that was certainly the case on Saturday. Palop isn't the most conventional stopper in the league, but my word is he effective.

Adriano (Barcelona)
The Brazilian scored a brilliant opener for his side in their 4-1 win over Getafe. Meanwhile, he was a constant threat with his attacking runs and ability to spot a pass.
Alberto Botia (Sevilla)
Much like your goalkeeper, you need your defence to play well against Real Madrid. It wasn't so much that Botia was outstanding, but he unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo – and that is usually half the battle.
Miranda (Atletico Madrid)
Miranda was simply stunning up until the 82nd minute during his side's 4-3 win over Rayo Vallecano. Atletico conceded three goals in the final seven minutes, but the Brazilian was impressive throughout.
Aly Cissokho (Valencia)
It was an extremely productive 90 minutes for Cissokho as his side beat Celta Vigo 2-1 on Saturday. The Frenchman scored the winner and ran up and down the line all evening.

Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
When Navas is good, he is really good. And he was against Real Madrid. The Spaniard was the perfect weapon in Sevilla's counter-attacking style on Saturday.
Javi Lopez (Espanyol)
Javi Lopez had an extremely productive 90 minutes as his side drew 3-3 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. He scored one and made another to cap an all-action display.
Gabi (Atletico Madrid)
The Atletico midfielder was really impressive in his side's victory over Rayo. He provided the perfect foil for his side's attackers, while he used the ball really intelligently.
Pedro (Barcelona)
Pedro spent large periods out of the Barcelona side last season, a decision which many found to be quite strange. The Spaniard was back to his best against Getafe with his direct running and sensational change of pace.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Not many of you will have heard of this lad. He has scored six goals in three and a bit league games this season, grabbing two against Getafe after coming on as a sub. He is one for the future.
Artitz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao)
Aduriz grabbed a timely double for his side as they drew 3-3 with Espanyol on Sunday. His second strike - which was magnificent - was worthy of winning any game of football.