Barcelona swept aside Racing Santander with consummate ease at
the Camp Nou to secure a 14th successive Primera Division win and
move provisionally seven points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid
at the top of the table.
Goals from Pedro, after barely a minute of play, and Messi - from
the penalty spot - gave the Catalans a 2-0 lead at the break.
Andres Iniesta ensured all three points early in the second half
for Barca, who made it 55 points from a possible 60 in the league
this season and shook off the relative disappointment of losing
3-1 to Betis in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
That defeat was a blip for Barca following a highly impressive
28-match unbeaten run, but there was little danger of the Catalans
being knocked out of the competition after they had won the first
leg 5-0.
Coach Pep Guardiola, in fact, said before this game that the loss
in Seville would serve as a timely wake-up call for his side.
And their reaction in this match was immediate.
Messi played a one-two with David Villa inside the area and sent
an inviting chipped ball over Tono for Pedro to chest home from
point-blank range after barely a minute of play.
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