Posted by Stephen Kuzner

By Stephen Kuzner - WFD Fan Correspondent

Four weeks into La Liga, order has been restored with Real Madrid at the top of the table. I know, I know, Sevilla have yet to play as of this writing, but it just feels inevitable to have Madrid or Barcelona at the top. It was fun while it lasted with Atlético Madrid and Valencia sharing some time at the top. Madrid has been far from dominating and closer to vulnerable in all their matches, but their bend-but-not-break defense has given up an impressive single goal in four matches. 1.5 goals a game is plenty if you are only giving up 0.25. Against Espanyol, Madrid looked beatable for large stretches. Both sides finished the match with less than 11 players with Pepe, Ernesto Galan, and Juan Forlin all being sent-off. Pepe should be a concern for Madrid because he narrowly missed being sent-off last week against Real Sociedad. At this point, the Madristas should be happy with Mourinho's results. His system is just being implemented and it starts with the back first. By November, Madrid will be demolishing teams the way Chelsea is doing in the EPL.

Barcelona, missing Lionel Messi, had a hard time breaking-down a well-organized Sporting Gijon, but was able to churn out a 1-0 victory. Barca's 78% possession served as a good defense most of the match. A season with only 19 players is going to have more of these grind-it-out possession games than the beautiful home 4-nils of the previous couple years. Javier Mascherano played in his first yellow card-less La Liga match, so maybe this is progress. The groans and moans from the Camp Nou whenever he touched the ball suggest otherwise.

Valencia and Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 dropping points to Madrid and Barcelona this week. Things could have been worse for Los Che had new-signing Aritz Aduriz not equalized in the 83rd minute. Teenage Atletico goalkeeper-sensation David de Gea had another fine match after his brilliant performance against Barcelona a week ago. He is a future keeper in an already deep Spain stable.

Osasuna not only earned their first win with a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad, but also scored their first goals. Levante also got their first win with a 0-1 victory over Almera. It only took four weeks for Osasuna and Levante to register a win.

However, Real Zaragoza are still winless after a 0-0 draw against Hercules.

Athletic Bilbao made their own luck via a David Lopez fluke cross-turned goal and then cruised to a 3-0 win with Mallorca. Bilbao will host Barcelona next week. If each teams' form this week and history are indicators, Barcelona will probably drop some points at San Mamés.

As of this writing, Getafe vs. Málaga, Villarreal vs. Deportivo La Coruña, and Sevilla FC vs. Racing Santander have yet to play. I see a draw 2-2, Villarreal 2-1 win, and Sevilla 3-1 win. If you read this column on Thursday afternoon, Sevilla should be sitting ahead of Madrid. That is if you use goal-difference. Maybe order will not be restored at the top of the La Liga table just yet?



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