Higuaín leads Real line

Gonzalo Higuaín is a striker in form. The Argentinean struck his second hat-trick in as many games for Real Madrid on Saturday — he also bagged one for Argentina last week — as the home side strolled to a 4-1 victory over Real Betis, which proved itself willing in attack but was simply outplayed at the Bernabéu.

With Karim Benzema coming back from injury, the timely return of Higuaín to the form that made him Real's top scorer during Cristiano Ronaldo's first season presents José Mourinho with a happy dilemma; the Portuguese said that he has no fixed starting striker after the match, but Higuaín's claim is becoming impossible to ignore.

Also on Saturday, a muted Barcelona provided sufficient moments of magic to see off Racing Santander 3-0. Of particular note was Andrés Iniesta, whose two sublime pieces of skill provided goals for Leo Messi; the second albeit inadvertently as Messi fired home a rebound from Iniesta's well-worked effort. Xavi added the third as Barça moved to the top of the table, a point ahead of Real yet level with Levante, 3-0 victors over Málaga to continue an incredible run this season in which it remains unbeaten and has conceded fewer goals than any other team.

Atlético's barren streak continued as it failed for a third consecutive match to find the net against Granada, resulting in its third goalless tie of the season.

Other results: Mallorca 1-1 Valencia; Getafe 0-0 Villarreal; Zaragoza 2-0 Real Sociedad; Rayo 0-1 Espanyol