Barcelona at least temporarily, extended their lead at the top of La Liga to six points after goals from Bojan, Pedro and Yaya Toure gave them a 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Deportivo started the game positively and looked as though they would take on their illustrious hosts head on. But Barca quickly wrestled control of proceedings and they should have taken the lead on eight minutes. The Depor short-stopper was forced into another miracle save minutes later when he tipped over a delightful Messi chip that left the Cam Nou faithful gasping in amazement. It was Blaugrana all the way and they duly took the lead on 15 minutes thanks to another sumptuous Xavi assist. The stand-in captain picked up a pass from Jeffren, spun around on the edge of the box and slipped in a through ball to Bojan Krkic, who easily stabbed it past the advancing Dani Aranzubia.
An outrageous one-two of backheels between Messi and Alves almost released the Argentine on another path of destruction, and moments after that, Little Lionel did go on his rampagin run in a counter-attack when he waltzed past three defenders before a last-ditched tackle by Alberto Lopo forced his shot wide.
A goalmouth scramble almost handed Messi his 28th La Liga goal on a plate, but he was just a tad casual when he prodded the ball past Aranzubia, only for Laure to intercept before it could roll over the line.
But Depor’s excellent defensive work was undone on 68 minutes. Victor Valdes’ long kick bounced all the way to Aranzubia, but the goalkeeper’s woeful clearance trickled straight to Pedro, who chipped his shot from the centre circle all the way into the back of the net.
And it quickly became 3-0 three minutes later. Xavi’s corner made its way to the back-post for Toure Yaya, who blasted in a half volley which Aranzubia could only parry into his own net.
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