Barcelona showed Real Madrid they will take some budging from the top of the table with an emphatic 6-0 home win over Malaga yesterday to restore their six-point cushion over the champions.

A few hours earlier Real had defeated Almeria 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to cut Barcelona's lead to three points, but Pep Guardiola's side responded by cutting poor Malaga to shreds.

Xavi, Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o were all on target in a sensational first 45 minutes and Malaga couldn't wait for the half-time whistle.

It was more of the same in the second half with Eto'o scoring his second on 56 minutes while marauding right back Dani Alves (51) also netted.

"It is one more game gone," said Eto'o. "I always have a chance of scoring in this team. We just want to push on now and carry on with this form after the international break."