Five talking points from the weekend in La Liga


Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Espanyol v FC Barcelona - RCDE Stadium, Barcelona, Spain - December 8, 2018 Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Espanyol's Didac Vila REUTERS/Albert Gea

MADRID (Reuters) - Lionel Messi was at his scintillating best for Barcelona as they moved clear at the top of the table, while Atletico swept aside fifth-placed Alaves and Gareth Bale scored his first league goal for 99 days as Real Madrid snuck past bottom of the table Huesca. Here are five talking points from the La Liga weekend.

MESSI HAD A POINT TO PROVE

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