FC Barcelona recovered from back-to-back Clásico defeats with a Liga triumph over bottom-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña at Camp Nou. 

After succumbing to Real Madrid CF in both the Copa del Rey and the Liga in the last fortnight, the Blaugrana bounced back with a routine win. However, although the hosts were rarely troubled, theirs was far from a vintage display. Indeed only an Alexis Sánchez header separated the teams until the final minutes, when substitute Lionel Messi struck his 40th Liga goal of the season – playing a quick one-two before clipping over the goalkeeper.

Barcelona's fellow UEFA Champions League last 16 contenders Málaga CF were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid CF, meaning they have recorded just eight wins in their last 26 in all competitions. Martín Demichelis headed in Lucas Piazón's cross to give the visitors an early lead, but Manucho levelled before the interval with a near-identical goal. 

Elsewhere, Piti fired his 11th goal of the season as Rayo Vallecano de Madrid triumphed 2-0 at home against RCD Espanyol, while an Alejandro Alfonso double helped RCD Mallorca overcome Sevilla FC 2-1, despite Javier Márquez's late red card.