Almeria: After an indifferent start, Gonzalo Arconada was fired and it proved to be an astute move by President Alfonso Gabarron to employ the Mexican legend Hugo Sanchez as his replacement. The Eastern Andalusians finished 11th, helped immeasurably by 19 Alvaro Negredo goals. The likes of Juan Ortiz, Kalu Uche and Bruno also impressed, avoiding the dreaded 'Second Season' syndrome. 7/10
Athletic Bilbao: During an infuriatingly inconsistent season, Joaquin Caparros's men found themselves as high as 6th and as low as just hovering above the drop zone. In the end, 13th isn't such a bad return for the Basques, whose good home record evaporated in the second half of the season and endured a poor run-in. It could have been a lot worse without the goals of Fernando Llorente and the steel of rising star Javi Martinez in midfield. 6/10
Atletico Madrid: What can you say? Unbeatable one week, catastrophic the next, one thing Atletico Madrid can never be accused of being is dull. Logic truly goes out the window when describing a side so awful in defence that they conceded more than nearly any other team in the top half of the table, and yet they won 8 of their last 10 matches to cement fourth place and that coveted Champions League slot. An excellent achievement for Abel Resino, replacement for Javier Aguirre. Diego Forlan was the star of the show, although Kun Aguero and Simao contributed also. 8/10
Barcelona: Pep Guardiola has pulled off the remarkable achievement of winning a League, Cup and European treble in his first season of top-flight management, and his team did so with a style and elegance missing from other top sides. Aleksander Hleb aside, the new signings fit like a glove and the likes of Iniesta, Messi and Henry had staggeringly good seasons. Guardiola's task now is to follow that up next season, which could prove tough. 10/10.
Deportivo La Coruna: Anchored by a good home record and one of the best defensive records in La Liga, Miguel Angel Lotina guided Deportivo to 7th place, which under the circumstances could be seen as a disappointment considering they were long in the mix for a UEFA Cup spot. In the end they ran out of steam, but considering that Depor are another club tightening their belts, it can be seen as a season of real progress for the Galicians. 7/10.
Espanyol: For most of the season, Espanyol looked doomed; awful at the back, edge-less up front, they went through two managers before Mauricio Pochettino took over in February and miraculously turned it around. The derby win at the Camp Nou is an obvious highlight, and after a brilliant final run-in the Pericos inexplicably find themselves in the top half, a testament to how tight it was for much of the season at the bottom. The squad still needs work, but a heartening tale all round, given the start they had. 6/10.
Getafe: Geta left it very late to secure their safety, firing Victor Munoz with three games to go, and in the end survived by the skin of their teeth. Were it not for the goals of Roberto Soldado and the industry of the likes of Esteban Granero and Casquero, the Segunda would be beckoning. Given their tiny budget it was unlikely we would witness top six, but it was a far from convincing season. 3/10.
Malaga: Malaga captured the hearts of many neutrals with their plucky, adventurous football and their cobbled-together squad assembled by journeyman coach Antonio Tapia. Many observers' favourites for relegation caused immense surprise by mounting a serious challenge for the top six, and narrowly missed out. The likes of Albert Luque, Duda, Eliseu and Baha all did their reputations no harm at all, but with Tapia leaving one wonders whether the southerners will be able to compete next term. 8/10.
Mallorca: The Islanders finally realised their potential after Christmas, putting in an astonishing run of form to leave themselves a very creditable 9th. Juan Arango, the superb Venezuelan, was very much the orchestrator, while Cleber Santana and Adi Aduriz also played consistently well. Gregorio Manzano's reputation is further enhanced. 7/10
Numancia: Little was expected of the Sorians and they folded to relegation with two rounds left. They had problems at both ends of the pitch; Only Recreativo scored fewer and only Sporting Gijon conceded more; and they generally spent much of the season looking out of their depth, despite eye catching victories over Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. A step too far. 2/10
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