La Liga round-up

Nov 30 2008

BRILLIANT Barcelona raced six points clear at the top with a 3-0 win at title rivals Sevilla.

Samuel Eto'o rifled home a first-half opener before Lionel Messi's stunning double sealed victory and Pep Guardiola's men already have the look of champions.

Sevilla are now eight points off the pace and Luis Fabiano completed their miserable night by seeing red for lashing out at Sergio Busquets.

The sinning striker then had to be restrained by the coaching staff as he tried to have a go at a linesman.

Barca went into the game buoyed by bitter rivals Real Madrid's 3-1 defeat at Getafe and took full advantage to race further clear.

They opened the scoring after 19 minutes when the ball broke to Eto'o in the box and he cracked a superb strike high into the net. But they had an escape in 31 minutes when the ref waved play on after Gerard Pique toppled Freddie Kanoute in the box.

Kanoute then hit the bar but Barca put the result beyond doubt when Messi sparked to life after the break.

He rifled home the second with a thumping half-volley from 20 yards before Fabiano foolishly saw red.

And the Argentinian saved the best for last as he rounded Andres Palop wide on the left before slotting home from an almost impossible angle.

Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster faced further calls for his head after his side's derby defeat.

Uruguayan midfielder Juan Angel Albin was the home hero as he bagged a double and set up the third for sub Ikechukwu Uche.

Javier Saviola briefly gave Real hope by pulling it back to 2-1 but Schuster's side were dismal and had the ref to thank for saving them from a hiding.

Getafe were robbed of two stonewall penalties while striker Uche also wasted a barrowload of chances.

FRANCE

LEADERS Lyon were held to a goal-less draw at home by struggling Valenciennes but are still six points clear at the top.

Lyon, missing top scorer Karim Benzema, were denied by keeper Nicolas Penneteau who had a string of superb saves.

Brazilian duo Fred and Ederson came closest for the champs.

Grenoble visit second placed Nice today while third placed Marseille are at Toulouse.