Barcelona's formidable attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry came up trumps again as the league leaders crushed Numancia 4-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Barcelona's victory opened up a 15-point cushion over Real Madrid and Sevilla at the top of the Spanish league table.
Numancia had defeated Barca 1-0 on the opening day of the season - their only league defeat of the whole campaign - and revenge was sweet as Barca stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games.
Real Madrid are in action against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday desperate to cut Barca's lead back down to 12 points.
Messi grabbed a brace scoring the 49th minute opener and on 76 minutes to make it 14 goals for the season while Eto'o and Henry grabbed a goal apiece.
Eto'o now has 19 goals in as many games while Henry has 12 underlining Barca's potency in front of goal.
It was a sombre mood in Barcelona after strong winds had ripped the roof off a sports centre in the city taking the lives of four children who had been inside preparing for a baseball game. The players paid a minute's respect for the victims before the kick-off.
Dani Alves almost put Barca in front after just five minutes when his cross deflected onto the crossbar.
Numancia had lost nine out of their 10 away matches while Barca had the best home record in the division but it was the visitors who had the ball in the net first.
Javier del Pino rose highest to head past Victor Valdes but the goal was disallowed with Del Pino accused of climing on Andres Iniesta.
At half-time it was a frustrating 0-0 for Barca but Alves set Messi up for an opener four minutes after the break and Eto'o showed great strength to add another four minutes later.
Jose Barkero got his side back in it with a brilliant free-kick but Henry and Messi wrapped up the game late on.
Advertisement - article continues below »Villarreal's Champions League hopes suffered a setback as they dropped two more points in a 1-1 home draw with lowly Osasuna on Saturday.
Giuseppe Rossi struck on 28 minutes to put Villarreal in front at El Madrigal and they looked set to climb to fourth in the table until Osasuna levelled through Eduardo Dady in the 64th minute.
It was a repeat of the 1-1 draw between the two sides in Pamplona and Villarreal stay fifth, four points behind Real Madrid and Sevilla who both have a game in hand. For Osasuna it was an important point in their survival battle.
They have moved off the foot of the table at Real Mallorca's expense but are still six points from safety.
Real host Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday searching for a fifth straight win against a team that defeated them 2-1 on the opening day.
Real coach Juande Ramos has been impressed by Deportivo this season claiming they could become a magnificent team if they continue progressing.
"Deportivo were an excellent team that reached the Champions League semi-finals (in 2004), but the current squad is young and under construction," said Ramos.
"They've made some interesting changes recently and I believe that they could become a magnificent team if they carry on playing like this."
Valencia can pull three points clear of Villarreal on Sunday when they take on struggling Mallorca.
Valencia have been busy in the transfer market this week recruiting 37-year-old gooalkeeper Cesar Sanchez from Tottenham as cover for the injured Renan Brito.
"I am like a 17 or 18-year-old and I have a real desire to help out," said Sanchez. "This shirt comes with a certain responsibility."
Line Up :
Barcelona: Valdes, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal, Daniel Alves, Gnegneri Yaya Toure, Andrés Iniesta (Bojan Krkic ’80), Xavi (Alexander Hleb ’83), Thierry Henry (Sergi Busquets ‘74), Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi
Numancia: Juan Pablo Colinas, Boris, Sergio Ortega, Carlos Llorens, Juanra, Dimas, Txomin Nagore (Gorka Brit ’77), Cesar Palacios, Jose Barkero (Juan Barrasa Quero ’80), Javier González Del Pino, Asier Goiria Etxebarria (Carlos Aranda ’83)
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