Messi-led Barcelona trounces Deportivo
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Lionel Messi scored a stunning freekick and helped set up two more goals as Barcelona swept host Deportivo Coruna aside 4-0 to surge five points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday.
The Argentine World Player of the Year, who is up against teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta for the FIFA Ballon d'Or today, swept in a freekick in the 51st minute, having already set up striker David Villa for the opener.
Iniesta made it 3-0 in the 80th and almost immediately Messi's driving run led to the ball breaking to Pedro, who lifted the ball into the net for the fourth.
The champion maintained its perfect away record in La Liga to move on to 49 points from 18 games, putting the pressure on chasing Real Madrid.
Barcelona extended its unbeaten streak to 26 matches in all competitions but Spain striker Villa preached caution.
"We may be on a good run but we have a team like Real Madrid pushing close behind us," he told Spanish television. "There is still a long way to go."
Villa raced on to Messi's pass after 26 minutes and squeezed his shot under Daniel Aranzubia to put Barca ahead.
Messi claimed his 18th goal of the campaign with a freekick which curled round the wall and into the top corner after the re-start, and Iniesta killed off the game, running across the edge of the area before firing inside the far post.
Earlier, two goals in three minutes from Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute helped Sevilla fight back to win 3-2 at promoted Real Sociedad. Sevilla's fourth straight victory in all competitions helped lift Gregorio Manzano's improving side up to ninth with 26 points from 18 games. It is behind Athletic Bilbao on goal difference after the Basque side drew 1-1 at Malaga.
Malaga remains in 16th place with 17 points, four points above the relegation places.
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