Real Madrid's attempts to retain their La Liga title were thrown into question this weekend with Jose Mourinho's side suffering a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Saturday.

Barcelona's thumping 4-0 win at Levante moved the Catalans 11 points clear of Madrid at the summit, while Atletico Madrid also opened up an eight-point lead over the current Spanish champions with victory over Sevilla.

Rayo Vallecano, Real Valladolid and Malaga were also triumphant on Saturday, with the latter recording an impressive 4-0 win over fellow Champions League outfit Valencia.

Sunday also brought yet more drama as Getafe beat Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao and Deportivo La Coruna shared the points in a 1-1 draw at San Mames.

Here, Sports Mole picks out its 11 top performers following another pulsating weekend of action in La Liga.

Adrian (Real Betis)
If you are going to beat Real Madrid then your goalkeeper needs to play well. That was certainly the case with the 25-year-old Spaniard putting on a stunning display on Saturday.

Weligton (Malaga)
There have been claims that the 33-year-old Brazilian is keen for a move back to his home nation, but Malaga will be desperate to keep the defender following his performance against Valencia.
Alex Martinez (Real Betis)
The 22-year-old was a star performer as his side beat Real Madrid on Saturday. He marshalled Karim Benzema out of the match. Not an easy task.
Carlos Puyol (Barcelona)
Oh how Barcelona have missed his presence. It is no coincidence that the club have tightened up defensively since his return to action in recent weeks.

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Iniesta destroyed Levante in the second half as he set up three and scored one in his side's 4-0 win. He was simply sensational.
Benat (Real Betis)
The 25-year-old is now regarded as one of the best midfielders in La Liga and scored a stunning winner as his side beat Real Madrid on Saturday.
Joaquin (Malaga)
The winger has not had the best of times in recent seasons, but he wound back the clock with a mesmerising display in his side's 4-0 win over Valencia.
Francisco Portillo (Malaga)
Portillo was another who starred for Malaga on Saturday as he scored a pulsating opener to send his side on their way to three points.
Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
The Turkish midfielder was in sensational form as he scored one and made two in his side's 4-0 win over Sevilla. He has keen a key part of their recent success.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Another two goals for Messi in his side's win over Levante takes him to 84 goals for the calendar year. He is just three goals short of Gerd Muller's record.
Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
It had been suggested that the Colombian was suffering a drop in form, but he answered his critics with a goal in a powerful display against Sevilla.