Samuel Galindo was again an unused substitute for Gimnastic de Tarragona while Pedro Botelho was brought on late for Levante at the Bernebeu, after a Ronaldo hattrick and a Benzema curler had already secured Madrid a hard fought win. Most games in the Football League were postponed due to the weather, giving some players an unexpected rest.

Wellington Silva: The Brazilian again started on the bench for CD Alcoyano but was brought on for Segunda Division side the perhaps earlier than expected: he replaced the injured Cesar Remon with a little over five minutes left of the first half. He looked dangerous at times as he cut inside from the left hand side and very nearly opened the scoring; he controlled a long crossfield ball well before rounding a defender, only to see his curled effort saved by Barbosa. Opponents resorted to bringing him down as his direct style of play repeatedly threatened their defence – he appears to be able to take on players like Theo Walcott does with his electric pace but with tricks as well. On the hour mark Silva had another shot which was spilled by the keeper, falling nicely to Torres to tap home before Garcia curled in a second ten minutes later to secure the win.

Ryo Miyaichi: The winger was brought on at halftime to make his debut in Bolton’s 2-1 defeat at home to bottom side Wigan. After nearly giving away a penalty on Boyce, Miyaichi settled into the game and showed his creative talent and pace that was on show in Holland last year. He was the bright spark in an otherwise dull Bolton side and nearly equalised with five minutes minutes to go, but his shot as he was falling over was brilliantly saved by former Bolton man Al-Habsi. All in all though a very promising start to his loan spell for the Japanese youngster who is very popular with the crowd and Owen Coyle.

Denilson: The midfielder player forty-five of one hundred and eighty poor minutes for Sao Paulo this week: they drew at home to Comercial before losing at Conrinthians. Brought on at the break with Sao Paulo a goal to the good, Denilson saw his side immediately concede to the team now ten places below them in the league. They were then frustrated as they failed to regain the lead despite numerous attempts on goal. Denilson was then left on the bench for the loss that saw them slip to fourth in the league.

Joel Campbell: The striker played the final fifteen minutes as his Lorient side fought heard to earn a point late on at Auxerre. Boly headed the home side into an early lead and when Lorient keeper Fabien Audard was sent off for handling outside the area, it seemed as if it would be their day. However, in a late final surge, Emeghara headed Lorient level from a Coutadeur corner after numerous chances for Auxerre to seal the win.

Kyle Bartley: The English defender played an hour as his Rangers side won 4-1 away to Dunfermline. The home side took the lead through Kirk but Rangers soon equalised through Healy and an excellent McCulloch strike then gave the Gers the lead before the break. With McCoist seemingly confident of the win, Bartley made way to allow Broadfoot to return from injury with half an hour left. A long range Aluko goal and late Kerkar finish rounded off a comfortable win against a side still without a home league win this season.

Sanchez Watt: Thanks to help from supporters, Crawley Town did manage to play a game midweek and the on loan winger will be glad of this: he scored twice as he helped his side to a 4-2 victory against Cheltenham. The away side took an early lead but Watt soon equalised with a left footed shot into the corner from all of twenty five yards. Barnett scored twice before Watt finished from near range to secure the win, despite Duffy’s consolation goal with fifteen minutes to go.

Vito Mannone: The Italian Goalkeeper played the full ninety minutes in Hull’s comfortable 3-0 win over Bristol City. Early goals from Hobbs and Koren set Hull on their way before Matt Fryat scored on the hour mark to make the lead more comfortable. David James was the far busier of the keepers and  Mannone was only really tested late on, making a decent save from Pearson to keep a clean sheet.