Alexis inspires Barcelona back to top

FC Barcelona have started 2014 where they left off last year as they beat Elche CF 4-0 with an Alexis Sánchez hat-trick to wipe out Club Atlético de Madrid's three-point Liga advantage ahead of their top-of-the-table meeting next Saturday.

Barcelona ended 2013 with a 5-2 win at Getafe CF but fell three points behind yesterday when Atlético, who host the champions next weekend, opened the year by edging Málaga CF 1-0. However, within 16 minutes at Camp Nou, Barcelona were two up as Alexis turned in a Jordi Alba cross and Pedro Rodríguez finished coolly after being sent through by Cesc Fàbregas.

Xavi Hernández missed a penalty following a foul on Fàbregas early in the second half but Alexis soon removed all doubt, set up unselfishly by Pedro to tap in Barcelona's third, then completing his treble with a superb free-kick.

Real Sociedad de Fútbol moved to within a point of fourth-placed Athletic Club by beating their Basque rivals 2-0 in San Sebastian with goals from Antoine Griezmann and, at the death, Rubén Pardo. Sevilla FC are three points behind La Real following their 3-0 success over Getafe while CA Osasuna escaped the relegation zone by overcoming RCD Espanyol 1-0.