FC Barcelona beat Sevilla 4-0 on Wednesday night to hand the perfect reply to title challengers Real Madrid.

Barcelona kicked off the game with just a three point advantage over a Madrid side that had beaten Getafe 3-2 in a dramatic game just 24 hours earlier.

If anyone at Real Madrid thought that would mean Barcelona feeling the pressure, they were quickly proved wrong.

Andres Iniesta opened the scoring after just two minutes of the game and Samuel Eto'o doubled the lead before the half time break.

Barcelona was never in trouble against the side third in the Primera Liga and Xavi Hernandez and Thierry Henry scored the remaining goals in the second half.

Meanwhile two more goals from David Villa gave Valencia a comfortable win away to Betis. Villa now has 25 goals this season, while his side is now pressuring Sevilla for third place and direct qualification for the Champions League.

Elsewhere, Malaga kept hopes of European football alive thanks to a controversial 3-2 win away to Osasuna. Salva Ballesta scored the winning goal. But Osasuna fans were furious with referee Clos Gomez, who sent three of their players off.

Finally Deportivo la Coruna also remain in the hunt for a place in Europe following a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Almeria.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)