Barcelona keep Real in slipstream

Barcelona produced another magical display of attacking football to sweep aside Real Sociedad 5-0 and return to the La Liga summit on Sunday.

Following Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Real Zaragoza, the onus was on Barcelona to maintain their two-point advantage and they took the game to their opponents from the start. With just eight minutes gone David Villa gave them the lead by converting a Pedro Rodriguez cross and from there it only got worse for Sociedad. Barca added to their total when a fine passing movement culminated with an Andres Iniesta goal from a tight angle.

Lionel Messi then hit a brace and there was still time for substitute Bojan Krkic to hit a fifth, a minute from the end.

AFP