Barca were up against their to-be opponents of the Copa Del Rey. And Athletic could have laid down a marker early in the game but Fran Yeste broke clear only to miss.

It proved costly as Busquet's put Barca ahead in the 17th minute with a strong header from a Xavi freekick. And they doubled their lead in the first half itself, when Messi converted a penalty won by Iniesta.

The second half saw more pressure from the league leaders but Gorka Irairoz, the keeper kept them out and Barca hit the post as well. But the 2 goal cushion was enough to put Barca on the winning trail again and it comes at a very useful time as Lyon come visiting this week for the second leg of the Champions League, following the 1:1 draw at Lyon in the first leg.

Carles Puyol, though was a casualty of the victory, as he had to
leave the pitch on a stretcher in the last minute with damaged ankle ligaments and he faces three weeks out.

Pep Guardiola was defiant after the win: "To play well and win like this should give the fans a little more faith in the team," he said.

Meanwhile, it was Madrid, who after 10 straight wins, were rocked by Liverpool and proceeded to draw another 2 points against local rivals Atletico.

Atletico were in top form scoring 4 past Barcelona last week and they started well enough, going ahead in the first half. In the 38th minute a moment of magic from Kun Aguero created a counter attack from which Aguerro teed up Forlan for a shot and the ex United striker made no mistake, slotting past Casillas.

Ramos responded by bringing on Gonzalo Higuain and he combined with Huntelaar to restore parity in the match. Huntelaar took a long time to start scoring, but seems to be on a roll, as he confidently twisted past his marker and fired into the goal.

Madrid were lucky as the replays suggested Huntelaar was offside, and even luckier as Atleti went for the winner with Forlan, Sinama Pongolle and Aguerro all missing chances.

Abel Resino, the Atletico coach asid "I'm pleased with the effort from the team, but it is a draw that feels like a defeat because of the chances we have missed,"

Villareal beat Espanyol 1-0 through a Fuentes goal to stay in 4th, as Espanyol missed a penalty

Standings - with 12 matches left:
Barca 63 points
Real 57 points
Sevilla 47 points
Villarreal 45 points
Atletico 40 points


Third-placed Sevilla host Almeria on Sunday.

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