Barcelona won away from home against Valladolid by three goals to nil re-affirming their grip on this season's La Liga campaign.

Goals came from Xavi Hernandez, Dani Alves and unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi, in an inspired victory.

Valladolid started the game impressively and imposed themselves on the Barcelona rearguard. They were unlucky not to have found the net in the opening 20 minutes. The tide turned when they conceded the first goal. A typically efficient Barcelona break led by Dani Alves, who crossed the ball delightfully was finished to aplomb by Xavi, volleying the ball from 10 yards out. It was Barcelona at their best.

Barcelona doubled their lead just a minute later. A beautiful flick by Messi set Dani Alves running down the wing. Dani unleashed what appeared to be a cross but ended up flying into the top of the net.

The second half was more relaxed for the Blaugrana, but it didn't stop Messi from making his mark on the game. A lovely through ball found Ibrahimovic in acres of space. He waited patiently for Messi's arrival and delivered a perfect pass for Messi to lash the ball into the roof of the net. The goal meant Messi extended his lead in the scoring charts as the leading scorer in La Liga.