<p><strong><span style="font-size: 1.5em;">Real Madrid close the gap at the top</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 1.5em;"><img title="Real Madrid" src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/2020/jan/madridcell.jpg" alt="Real Madrid" /></span></strong></p>
<p>Barcelona went into 2020 with a two-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga Santander table but their 2-2 draw against Espanyol coupled with Real Madrid&rsquo;s 3-0 victory over Getafe means that it&rsquo;s all even at the summit once again. The Blaugrana and the Blancos are both on 40 points.</p>
<h2>Dimitri Foulquier is back at Granada</h2>
<p>The club Dimitri Foulquier has made the most appearances for during his career has been Granada, with 99 outings, and he&rsquo;ll soon have the chance to make it a centenary now that he&rsquo;s returned to the Nuevo Estadio de Los C&aacute;rmenes on loan from Watford for the rest of the season.</p>
<h2>Adri&aacute;n Ramos returns to Colombia</h2>
<p>Forward Adri&aacute;n Ramos has returned to his native Colombia, after spending several seasons on and off with Granada. The 33-year-old departs after making seven LaLiga Santander appearances for the Andalusian club this season and he&rsquo;ll now play his football with CD Am&eacute;rica de Cali, one of his former teams.</p>
<h2>Wu Lei ensures the Catalan derby ends all square</h2>
<p>It was a Catalan derby to remember for Wu Lei and Espanyol fans as they scored an 88th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 against Barcelona. The Chinese forward was the hero as he popped up with the dramatic equaliser, ensuring the Pericos earned a point in their first match under new coach Abelardo. He also became the first Chinese player to ever score against Barcelona.</p>
<h2>Atl&eacute;tico de Madrid pay tribute to Filipe Lu&iacute;s</h2>
<p>Fans at the Wanda Metropolitano paid tribute to former Atleti full-back Filipe Lu&iacute;s before their side&rsquo;s win over Levante this weekend. The left-back left the club in the summer to join Flamengo in his native Brazil and a special ceremony was held to thank him for all he&rsquo;d helped Atleti achieve during his years in the Spanish capital.</p>
<h2>Jes&uacute;s Navas&rsquo; 500th Sevilla appearance</h2>
<p><img title="Jesus Navas" src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/2020/jan/navastribute.jpg" alt="Jesus Navas" /></p>
<p>By taking part in Sevilla and Athletic Club&rsquo;s 1-1 draw in the last match Jes&uacute;s Navas made his 500th appearance for the Andalusian club. He is the first player to reach that special landmark and was presented with a commemorative shirt, with the number 500 below his name on the back.</p>
<h2>Eibar celebrate their 80th anniversary</h2>
<p>January 1st is special across the world as the first day of the new year but it&rsquo;s an extra special day for Eibar. New Year&rsquo;s Day 2020 marked the 80th anniversary of their first ever match, a 2-1 win over Amaikak Bat de Deba back in 1940.</p>
<h2>Valencia finally win again against Eibar</h2>
<p>Eibar couldn&rsquo;t celebrate a victory in their anniversary week, as a Maxi G&oacute;mez goal earned Valencia a 1-0 victory when these two teams met at Mestalla. This was a huge relief for Valencia, who hadn&rsquo;t won any of their past six meetings with Eibar (D2 L4).</p>
<h2>Two La Liga players make UEFA&rsquo;s breakthrough XI</h2>
<p>As 2019 drew to a close, UEFA released their Champions League breakthrough XI of the year with two Spain-based players on the list: Atl&eacute;tico de Madrid&rsquo;s Renan Lodi and Real Madrid&rsquo;s Rodrygo. Achraf Hakimi, who is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Real Madrid, also made the cut.</p>
<h2>David Villa goes out on a high</h2>
<p><img title="David Villa" src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/2020/jan/villa-end.jpg" alt="David Villa" /></p>
<p>LaLiga legend David Villa made the final appearance of his career this weekend. The former R. Sporting, Real Zaragoza, Valencia, Barcelona and Atl&eacute;tico de Madrid striker featured in the closing stages as his final club Vissel Kobe defeated Kashima Antlers 2-0 to lift Japan&rsquo;s Emperor&rsquo;s Cup.</p>
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What's been going on in LaLiga this past week? Here are 10 of the top stories, from transfers at Granada to a special birthday at Eibar

This week in La Liga: Real Madrid close gap, David Villa ends on high

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This week in La Liga: Real Madrid close gap, David Villa ends on high

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