Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga this weekend with a 4-1 win over Sevilla, but a second league defeat of the season for Atletico Madrid dropped them to third on goal difference.

Real Madrid also moved onto 57 points with a 4-2 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, with the top three in Spain all having won 18, drawn three and lost two of their 23 league matches thus far.

Week 23's action began on Friday evening as Espanyol recorded a 1-0 win over Granada, with that result moving the home side into the top half of the table.

Valencia poured more misery on basement side Real Betis in the opener on Saturday with a 5-0 success at the Mestalla, before Rayo Vallecano gave their survival hopes a boost with a 4-1 triumph over a inconsistent Malaga outfit.

Real's victory over Villarreal preceded Atletico's 2-0 defeat at Almeria on Saturday evening, with that result sending shockwaves through the division.

Osasuna opened Sunday's action with a 2-0 win over struggling Getafe, before Real Valladolid came from 2-0 behind to claim a point in a four-goal thriller against Elche.

Real Sociedad's top-four hopes took a hit, however, as they drew 0-0 at home to Levante, before Barcelona's win at Sevilla ensured that the current champions topped the division after 23 games.

The week's football concluded in Vigo on Monday evening as Celta Vigo held Champions League hopefuls Athletic Bilbao to a goalless draw.

Here, Sports Mole selects its 11 star performers following another pulsating weekend of La Liga football.

Keylor Navas (Levante)
Without sounding like a broken record, is there a better goalkeeper in La Liga at the moment? Navas continued his incredible run of form this weekend with a number of top-class saves in Levante's goalless draw at Real Sociedad. The Costa Rican came under serious pressure in the second period, but proved to be unbeatable between the sticks.

Rafita (Almeria)
The 31-year-old was a key contributor as Almeria recorded a 2-0 win over Atletico on Saturday. Tasked with dealing with Diego Costa, the Spaniard passed his challenge with a terrific defensive performance. He was also a threat in the Atletico half with a number of dangerous crosses unnerving the capital outfit.
Saul Niguez (Rayo Vallecano)
Rayo defenders have not been present in this team this season, which is not much of a surprise. However, Saul, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, was terrific in his side's 4-1 win over Malaga. Although primarily a midfielder, the Spaniard has been deployed in a defensive area in recent weeks, and he demonstrated his all-round ability in the Spanish capital on Saturday.
Hector Moreno (Espanyol)
The Mexican defender scored the only goal of the match as Espanyol beat Granada in Barcelona on Friday evening. However, it was the 26-year-old's performance in the heart of the defence that impressed the most. It is no surprise that a number of European sides are monitoring the centre-back, who has been in brilliant form in recent weeks.

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Iniesta has found himself out of the Barcelona XI in recent weeks during a frustrating spell, but the Spaniard returned to form this weekend with a sensational display in the 4-1 win over Sevilla. The World Cup winner assisted Lionel Messi for his second, while he was a constant threat with his ability to manipulate the ball in small areas. It was a performance of the highest order.
Verza (Almeria)
The 27-year-old scored twice as Almeria recorded a famous win over title hopefuls Atletico on Saturday. The midfielder's first was a curling effort from outside the box, while his second was a cool penalty into the top corner. Verza was class personified as he influenced proceedings from the middle of the park.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
It seems a long time ago that the Croatian was criticised for his form in Spain. Now, he is a stalwart of an ever-improving Real Madrid side. The midfielder was again in scintillating form this weekend as his side beat Villarreal 4-2. Not only was the former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker his normal composed self in possession, but he was also prepared to do his share of defensive work.
Iago Falque (Rayo Vallecano)
Falque recently revealed his frustration at his lack of first-team football. Well, he made his point when selected in Rayo's 4-1 win over Malaga. The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur winger netted twice in the victory, which aided the club's survival hopes. It was an all-action display from the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
The 20-year-old netted a brace as Valencia recorded a 5-0 win over Betis in Saturday's early start. The Spaniard appears to have nailed down the centre-forward position for his side and certainly made his mark at the Mestalla. Betis just could not deal with the pace and movement of the forward.
Humberto Osorio (Real Valladolid)
With leading scorer Javi Guerra almost certain to depart Real Valladolid in the coming months, the Spanish outfit are in need of a regular scorer. It hasn't quite happened for Osorio this season, but it did happen this weekend. The 25-year-old bagged a late brace to secure his side a point in a 2-2 draw with Elche.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The final place in the team was between Karim Benzema, who scored twice for Real Madrid this weekend, and Messi, and it is the Argentine who just shades it after returning to the scoresheet with a brace against Sevilla. The Barcelona forward has come under criticism in recent weeks, but answered with two wonderful goals at the Estadio Ramon.