Madrid, January 25:

Barcelona’s formidable attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry came up trumps again as the league leaders crushed Numancia 4-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Barcelona’s win opened up a 15-point cushion over Real Madrid and Sevilla at the top of the Spanish league table. Messi grabbed a brace scoring the 49th minute opener and on 76 minutes while Eto’o and Henry netted a goal apiece.

Javier del Pino rose highest to head past Victor Valdes but the goal was disallowed with Del Pino accused of climing on Andres Iniesta. At half-time it was a frustrating 0-0 for Barca but Alves set Messi up for an opener four minutes after the break and Eto’o showed great strength to add another four minutes later.

Jose Barkero got his side back in it with a free-kick but Henry and Messi wrapped up the game.

Villarreal’s Champions League hopes suffered a setback as they dropped two more points in a 1-1 home draw with lowly Osasuna. Giuseppe Rossi struck on 28 minutes to put Villarreal in front and they looked set to climb to fourth in the table until Osasuna levelled through Eduardo Dady in the 64th minute. Villarreal stay fifth, four points behind Real Madrid and Sevilla who both have a game in hand.