La Liga round-up

Nov 2 2008

BARCELONA braved a Malaga mudbath last night and romped to the top of the table with a 4-1 win.

Pep Guardiola's men were forced to abandon their slick passing game as heavy rain made the pitch almost unplayable.

But they still ground out a crucial win thanks to Xavi's double, a Lionel Messi strike and an own goal from Weligton.

Barcelona took the lead in just five minutes when Xavi curled home a free-kick after a mazy Messi run was halted. But Malaga levelled seven minutes later as Victor Valdes failed to hold a shot from Nabil Baha and Sergio Duda fired home the rebound.

Messi fired Barca back in front before half-time and they wrapped up victory after the break. Xavi netted his second before Daniel Alves' free-kick was sliced into his own net by Brazilian stopper Weligton.

The win moved Barca two points clear of Valencia who crashed to a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Racing Santander.

Striker Mohammed Tchite grabbed a stunning hat-trick before an own goal from captain David Albelda completed Valencia's night of misery.

Villarreal are just a point behind new leaders Barca after a 4-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.

Giuseppe Rossi opened the scoring for Celtic's Champions League rivals only for Joseba Exteberria to level.

But Villarreal turned on the style in the second half with goals from Robert Pires, Santi Cazorla and Jozy Altidore easing them to victory.

Atletico Madrid ended their four-game winless streak as a double from Argentinian hitkid Sergio Aguero sealed a 2-0 home victory over Mallorca.