Barcelona reach half-century in style

Two goals apiece for Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o and a trademark solo effort by Lionel Messi fired FC Barcelona to a 5-0 win over RC Deportivo La Coruña – and a points record at the halfway stage of the Spanish season.

Top dogs
Saturday's victory cemented Barcelona's 12-point lead in the table, even though Sevilla FC had earlier defeated CD Numancia and Real Madrid CF then beat CA Osasuna in Sunday's fixtures.

Half-century
Messi made a 21st-minute breakthrough at Camp Nou, racing through a crowd of defenders to wrong-foot goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia. Henry and Eto'o then helped themselves to a goal each either side of half-time. Barça thus established a points record of 50 from the first half of the Liga season, although coach Josep Guardiola warned against complacency: "There are still 19 games to go. We're not champions yet."

Trading places
Sevilla jumped into second position overnight courtesy of Renato's solitary late strike at home to Numancia, yet were overtaken on goal difference by a Real Madrid team who came from behind to win 3-1 against Osasuna. The hosts responded to Javad Nekounam's opener with second-half efforts from Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuaín and Arjen Robben.

Late show
Fourth-placed Valencia CF were undone by a 91st-minute penalty from Athletic Club Bilbao striker Llorente in a 3-2 defeat at San Mamés. That allowed Villarreal CF to move to within a point of the final UEFA Champions League berth after their 2-0 home victory over RCD Mallorca. Málaga CF left RCD Espanyol deep in relegation trouble with a 4-0 thrashing of the Barcelona-based club.