Brilliant Barça turn on the style

By Andy Hall

FC Barcelona extend their lead at the top of the Primera División by beating Real Madrid CF 3-0 at an ecstatic Camp Nou.

Lightning pace
Although Roberto Carlos came close on nine minutes with a strong centre that skidded in front of goal, he inadvertently helped make Barcelona’s opener just before the half-hour when both the Brazilian and Iker Casillas left Ronaldinho’s cross and the pursuing Samuel Eto’o walked the ball in.

Victory complete
Barça went 2-0 up just before the break, Deco and Ronaldinho combining to release Giovanni Van Bronckhorst who smashed a low, angled drive past Casillas. The Barça party was complete on 76 minutes when Ronaldinho's sweetly-struck penalty followed a shove by Guti on ex-Madrid man Eto’o. Henrik Larsson left the pitch after hurting his left ankle, but Barcelona hope to confirm tomorrow that it is not serious.

Valencia win
Valencia CF recorded their first win in all competitions since September by defeating hosts Málaga CF 2-0. Just before half-time, Bernardo Corradi was first to a deflected ball from a corner to bundle the ball in from close range.

Lead doubles
Xisco Muñoz doubled Valencia's lead early in the second period with a superb driven effort after Miguel Ángel Angulo's cross. The result sees Valencia move into fourth place while Málaga could slip further down the order from 14th after tomorrow's fixtures.

Tristán on target
A three-point haul was also a welcome boost for RC Deportivo La Coruña, who defeated Villarreal CF 2-0 to move into sixth, at least for 24 hours. Diego Tristán broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark as he latched on to Juan Carlos Valerón's through-ball.

Arruabarrena dismissed
Valerón was also heavily involved in Depor's second goal - his pass found Luque, who chipped over Pepe Reina and in off the upright. Villarreal left-back Rodolfo Arruabarrena was sent off for his second booking on 71 minutes and they remain in mid-table.