*AAA* Mesmerising Messi sends Barça top

Mesmerising Messi sends Barça top
(PA) Sunday 10 January 2010
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Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 5-0 win at Tenerife as the Catalan giants ended the weekend as they started it: holding a two-point lead at the top of the table. Real Madrid briefly led the way after beating Real Mallorca 2-0 earlier in the evening, but Barça swept back to the summit after brushing aside Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Messi's contribution was a wonderful hat-trick, the third goal an impudent chip from the edge of the area. Carles Puyol also got on the scoresheet with home defender Ezequiel Luna adding a late fifth with an unfortunate prod past his own goalkeeper.

Madrid had greater difficulty with the snow in the capital than they did with a toothless Mallorca side. But despite the wintry conditions, Manuel Pellegrini's men strolled to victory with goals from Gonzalo Higuain - a sublime 25-yard curling effort - and Esteban Granero.

Valencia strengthened their hold on third place with a 3-1 win at rock-bottom Xerez. The hosts, who have now accumulated just seven points from 17 games, threatened a surprise when Carlos Calvo cancelled out Juan Mata's opener. But David Silva restored Valencia's lead and a fine solo effort from Carlos Marchena settled matters.

Deportivo La Coruna climbed into the UEFA Champions League spots with a 1-0 win against Osasuna at the Riazor, Juan Rodriguez netting the only goal against a side reduced to ten men in the 67th minute when Javad Nekounam saw red.

Another draw for Malaga
Diego Castro scored the winner six minutes before half-time as Getafe's European hopes suffered a setback with a 1-0 defeat at Sporting Gijon, while Malaga stretched their unbeaten run to ten matches in all competitions, but remain in the relegation zone after an eighth draw of the campaign against Athletic Bilbao. Fernando Llorente was responsible for earning Athletic a share of the spoils, scoring a late penalty after Weligton's opening goal at the start of the second half.

Espanyol pulled away from danger, but left Real Zaragoza in the mire after beating the Aragon side 2-1. Espanyol took the lead through Joan Verdu after 13 minutes, but were pegged back by Javier Arizmendi's leveller shortly before the break. However, Fernando Marques grabbed the winner from close-range with just under 20 minutes remaining.