Barcelona regain league lead

Spanish league leaders Barcelona put their injury concerns to one side as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday.

The Catalan side had seen their lead at the top reduced to two points following their first league defeat last weekend against Atletico Madrid but they were comfortably in charge from the start against Racing. Despite missing several key players including Dani Alves, Xavi Hernandez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barca went ahead after seven minutes through Andres Iniesta who latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area.

Racing went further behind through a tame goal when a Thierry Henry free-kick went straight through their wall, but then minutes later another from almost exactly the same spot was struck perfectly by veteran Mexican international defender Rafa Marquez and went in off the post.

Racing offered few moments of danger on the counter-attack and their newly discovered prodigy Sergio Canales had a quiet game. There were fewer clear-cut chances in the second half but substitute Thiago Alcantara made Barca's win more emphatic with a deflected goal six minutes from the end.

Later on Saturday Sevilla condemned Mallorca to their first home defeat of the season as they ran out 3-1 winners and took a crucial advantage in the fight for a Champions League place.

The result means that Sevilla have now gone four points clear of fifth placed Deportivo la Coruna while Mallorca suffered their second successive defeat. Sevilla were well worth their equaliser when Jesus Navas beat the Mallorca defence to the ball and then slotted home.

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