03-Jan-16

Today’s front-page headlines from Marca, AS and Mundo Deportivo…

Brakes

Espanyol 0-0 Barcelona

Espanyol tie the hands of Barca, who hit the woodwork twice

Flying

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Levante

Leaders

Thomas fires Atletico atop La Liga

Simeone: "It gives us joy to be up there”

To run

Valencia-Real Madrid

Madrid, with serious doubts over Benzema, travel to Mestalla with the intention of immersing themselves in contention for the title

Celta Vigo 2-0 Malaga

Rayo-Real Sociedad (11:00 GMT)

Betis-Eibar (15:00)

Granada-Sevilla (15:00)

Deportivo-Villarreal (17:15)

Athletic-Las Palmas (17:15)

Leaders

Thomas was decisive as he was at Vallecas

Thomas: “I need to learn more, but with hard work comes minutes”

Simeone: “We believe in improving, not the table”

A big chance or the sickroom awaits

Madrid can match Barca if they win or Benitez will jeopardise his position if he falls at Mestalla

Courage stops Barca

Espanyol’s intensity left Barcelona without a goal and with only two shots against the woodwork

Stick of the derby

There was little football and excessive physicality

Messi and Suarez hit the woodwork as Barca failed to break down their rivals’ defence

Espanyol matched them on intensity and took advantage of a lenient referee

Rafa Benitez goes ‘home’

Benitez returns to Mestalla, where he put together a winning team, in need of a good result

Atleti, temporary leaders

La Liga - Club News