Last season's top three in La Liga all won this weekend, but surprise package Valencia suffered their first defeat of the season at Deportivo La Coruna on what was a pulsating round of action in Spain's top division.

Week eight opened on Friday evening, with Rayo Vallecano continuing their strong start to the season with a 1-0 victory over Granada.

Real Madrid beat Levante 5-0 in the early start on Saturday, before Celta Vigo came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at out-of-form Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona have still not conceded in the league this season after a 3-0 win over Eibar extended their lead at the top of the table, before Malaga heaped more misery on Cordoba with a 2-1 victory.

Sunday's action was opened by Atletico Madrid, who returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Espanyol, before the shock result of the weekend occurred, with Deportivo thrashing in-form Valencia 3-0.

Sevilla moved into second spot in the table with a 2-0 win at Elche, before Villarreal moved into the top six with a 2-0 win over Almeria.

The action concluded on Monday evening, when a late show from Getafe secured a 2-1 success over Real Sociedad, who sit just outside the drop zone.

The weekend's results also led to two managerial casualties, with Cordoba sacking Albert Ferrer and Levante relieving Jose Luis Mendilibar of his duties.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its 11 star performers from the latest round of La Liga action.

Fabricio (Deportivo La Coruna)
Deportivo's shock 3-0 win over Valencia at the weekend had much to do with their attacking personnel, but that said, they still needed their goalkeeper to keep it tight down the other end. That was indeed the case as Fabricio made a number of smart saves in the impressive victory.

Pablo Insua (Deportivo La Coruna)
Containing in-form Valencia strikers Rodrigo and Paco Alcacer is no easy feat, but Insua managed it during his side's 3-0 win at the weekend. The 21-year-old had the pace and strength to quell the threat, while he was also prepared to play from the back when the opportunity presented itself.
Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona)
The Frenchman continued his brilliant start to life at the Camp Nou with another clean sheet in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Eibar. The signing of the centre-back was questioned in some quarters, but he has been in excellent form this season.
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Godin was back to his best this weekend as the Uruguayan helped Atletico record a 2-0 win over Espanyol. The centre-back was without usual partner Miranda, but he thrived alongside international teammate Jose Gimenez, who also impressed. It was a man-of-the-match performance from Godin.

Gerard Deulofeu (Sevilla)
Deulofeu has been challenged to step up at Sevilla this season and the Spaniard continued his strong run of form with an assist in his side's 2-0 win over Elche. The on-loan Barcelona attacker was a constant menace to the opposition, who simply could not deal with his pace and movement in the final third.
Isco (Real Madrid)
The Spaniard has had to be patient this season due to the form of his Real Madrid teammates, but the midfielder is starting to become a key player for Los Blancos. He continued his turnaround in form with a goal and an assist in Saturday's 5-0 win over Levante.
Lucas Perez (Deportivo La Coruna)
Perez scored his side's second of the match as Deportivo beat Valencia 3-0 on Sunday. The midfielder's goal was in itself excellent, but it was his overall display that impressed the most. The 26-year-old is currently on loan from PAOK, but that deal could soon turn permanent with performances of this ilk.
Karim Yoda (Getafe)
The 25-year-old joined Getafe from Astra Giurgiu this summer and has already made a strong impression with three goals from midfield. Two of those came on Monday as a stoppage-time brace from Yoda helped his side record a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Another week, another couple of goals for Ronaldo, who has now struck 15 times in just seven league games this season. His first came from the penalty spot, but his second was a superb solo effort. Levante simply struggled to match the intensity of the Portuguese attacker.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Messi is now just two goals away from breaking the La Liga scoring record after netting in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Eibar on Saturday. The Argentine's most vital contribution came before that, however, when a brilliant assist set up Xavi during a period where the home side were struggling to undo Eibar.
Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal)
Uche netted both of Villarreal's goals as the Yellow Submarine moved into the top six with a 2-0 win over Almeria on Sunday. Since joining the Spanish club from Real Zaragoza in 2011, the 30-year-old has a record of almost one goal every two league games.