Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 4-0 helped by a Lionel Messi double as they took full advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
Unbeaten Barca extended their lead to five points with just under half the season played after Real slumped to a 1-0 defeat at San Mames following a third-minute Fernando Llorente header.
Barcelona, ousted from the Copa del Rey by Sevilla in midweek, have 46 points from 18 games ahead of Real on 41 with Valencia, who host local rivals Villarreal on Sunday, third on 35.