Striker Messi plays pivotal role in Barcelona’s sweeping win

MADRID: Lionel Messi scored a stunning freekick and helped set up two more goals as Barcelona swept hosts Deportivo Coruna 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 team-mates 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 champions maintained their perfect away record in La Liga to move on to 49 points from 18 games, putting the pressure on chasing Real Madrid, who host third-placed Villarreal at the Bernabeu later yesterday.

Barca extended their 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.

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.

After Pedro’s cool finish, Messi almost grabbed a second but Aranzubia did just enough to deflect his shot wide.

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.

They are behind Athletic Bilbao on goal difference after the Basque side drew 1-1 at Malaga.

Argentina defender Martin De­­mi­­chelis, one of four new Malaga signings on show, had marked his league debut with a glancing header from a corner in the 81st to give the hosts the lead. Malaga remain in 16th place with 17 points, now four points above the relegation places.