Raphinha leads LaLiga scoring by five goals

Raphinha tops the LaLiga scoring chart with 12 goals for Barça. The margin is not close. Second place sits 5 goals back.

That second place is shared three ways, all on 7: Sergio Camello of Rayo Vallecano, Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, and Lamine Yamal, who plays alongside the leader at Barça. Behind them comes Roberto Fernández of Espanyol on 6.

So the leader's own club supplies two of the top four names. That says as much about Barça's season as it does about either player.

The table agrees. Barça sits 1 on 21 points with a goal difference of +24. Atleti is 2 on 16, level on points with Real Betis in 3, though the two are separated by goal difference: +9 against +2. Real Madrid is 4 on 15, and Sevilla FC holds 5 on 13. Alavés completes the top six on 11.

Look at where the goals come from, though. Three of the top four scorers wear the same shirt, and the team is still only three points clear at the top. One bad afternoon and the picture changes.

The league's most recent fixture produced 2 goals for Valencia and 3 for Real Sociedad on Sunday 20 September. The next round pairs Málaga with Espanyol on Friday 9 October, the same date the competition resumes.

Can anyone catch Raphinha? A 5-goal gap with this much of the season gone is a lot of ground. Sergio Camello and Kylian Mbappé would need a run of games, not a good week.

The scorer list, at least, has a clear shape: one man out front, three men chasing, and a champion's squad doing most of the damage.