Barca thrash Real to pull ahead

The defeat ended Reals 18-match unbeaten league run,17 wins and a draw,since they lost 2-0 at Barca in December. The Madrid club have won the league the last two years.

Real started El Clasico nervously and Sergio Ramos gave the ball away to Messi in a dangerous position in the first minute. The Argentina international squared to Xavi but the midfielders shot was easily smothered by keeper Iker Casillas. Ramos redeemed himself when he skipped past Eric Abidal on the right wing and sent over a perfect cross for Gonzalo Higuain to nod superbly past keeper Victor Valdes in the 14th minute.

Short lead

Reals lead lasted four minutes,Henry bursting clear on the left and finishing coolly before captain Carles Puyol headed in a Xavi freekick to make it 2-1. Dangerman Messi and Samuel Etoo went close to extending the lead as Barca dominated possession before Xavi robbed Lassana Diarra in midfield and Messi raced on to the loose ball to slot home after 36 minutes.

Ramos headed in Arjen Robbens whipped free kick in the 56th to briefly give the home fans hope but Barca always looked like adding to their tally and Henry,Messi and Gerard Pique completed the rout.

Real coach Juande Ramos said Barca deserved to win. We have lost a lot of the hope we had about winning the league, he said.