After last week's disappointment, Barcelona put in a breath-taking display in the first half, but fell away in the second, while Valencia were poor in their late 2-1 win over minnows Almeria.
However, it was largely a weekend of draws, as none of the remaining six games produced a result.
Nonetheless, there were some notable performances from Levante, Real Mallorca, Valladolid and Racing as they denied clearly superior teams.
This week's best line up in a 4-4-2, with Real Madrid once agains contributing three, and almost eight more!
Goalkeepers
1 Toño (Racing Santander): The 27-year-old Racing custodian was the star of the show in La Romareda on Saturday evening, repeatedly frustrating the likes of Ricardo Oliveira, Diego Milito and Pablo Aimar. That Racing came away with a point despite some serious pressure was largely due to his reflexes.
Defenders
2 Ballesteros (Real Mallorca): It was always going to be tricky against the likes of Forlan, Aguero and Simao in the Vicente Calderon, but Ballesteros marshalled the defence with great maturity to frustrate Javier Aguire despite his team enjoying 70% of the possession.
3 Alvaro (Levante): The 29-year-old Brazilian was as solid as a rock for minnows Levante, keeping the irrepressible Fernando Baiano in his pocket from start to finish as his team managed to shut out a superior Real Murcia side.
4 Metzelder (Real Madrid): Real Madrid might have eventually hit five, but it was this big German defender who kept them in the game during the first 30 minutes, when Villarreal were on song. Don't be surprised if he clinches a starting spot ahead of the higher profiled Pepe.
5 Abidal (Barcelona): The Frenchman had a good game even as Barcelona slowed down in the second half, and was the most consistent player on the pitch over 90 minutes. In him and Zambrotta, Barca may finally have two full-backs Frank Rijkaard can count on to deliver under pressure.
Midfielders
6 Sneijder (Real Madrid): The Dutchman is the only player who makes it into the elite eleven for the second week in a row. As if a couple of midfield displays were not enough, he is also the sole leader in the Pichichi charts, having scored thrice in two games. A quality free-kick, and an even better second with the outside of his foot were but the highlights! Could just be the signing of the summer in Spain!
7 Borja Fernandez (Valladolid): The 25-year-old defensive midfielder stamped his authority on the game, making the usually rugged Deportivo look soft and uncomfortable. A traditional anchorman's display.
8 Guti (Real Madrid): His attitude may be called into question under pressure, but when Real Madrid are in their opponents' half and passing their way around, there are few who can be as easy on the eye as this 31-year-old midfielder. Much of Madrid's second half domination was down to him.
9 D'Alessandro (Real Zaragoza): The Argentine was in good form Racing from start to finish, though not helped by some lacklustre displays around him. Milito and Oliveira failed to finish, Aimar drifted in and out of the game, and Movilla was missed solerly in midfield. A quality display from the play-maker, nonetheless.
Forwards
10 Ronaldinho (Barcelona): When the Brazilian superstar starts curling free-kicks into the net, you know he is in form. That was just the way it was against Athletic Bilbao. He ran the show, particularly during Barcelona's strong first half display.
11 Luis Garcia (Espanyol): The former Murcia and Mallorca man ripped through Real Betis with two clinical strikes. A pity his defenders threw it all away in the final ten minutes.
Toño
Ballesteros Alvaro Metzelder Abidal
Sneijder Borja Guti D'Alessandro
Luis Garcia Ronaldinho
Honourable Mentions
It was a superb collective effort from Real Madrid, be it Sergio Ramos on the right, Casillas in goal, a no-nonsense Diarra in midfield, or Raul and Van Nistelrooy up front. In fact, it is difficult to leave anyone out.
Apart from Ramos and Raul, two more from among last week's picks were in form. Ariel Ibagaza (Mallorca) did well against former club Atletico, and Negredo (Almeria) impressed against a quality Valencia side. Other strikers who impressed were Fernando Morientes (Valencia) and Rafael Sobis (Real Betis).
In the middle of the pitch, you would have to mention Yaya Toure, who had a positive outing for Barcelona, and David Odonkor (Real Betis), who finally showed what he can do on his day. To spare a thought for hapless Villarreal, Santi Cazorla was one of the few Yellow Submatrines who kept going against the odds.
In defence, Ezequiel Garay (Racing), Curro Torres and Alvaro Mejia (both Murcia) all deserve mention. Miguel Moya (Real Mallorca) and Marco Storari (Levante) made an impression between the posts.
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