体坛英语新闻：Barca move 12 clear as Cristiano warms up for Champions League with hat-trick

MADRID, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona enjoyed an early kick off and saw their lead at the top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga extend to 12 points during the 23rd round of matches in Spain this weekend.

Barca took to the pitch before their midday kick off at home to Getafe on Sunday carrying a banner wishing a happy Chinese new year, but at the end of the game it was the Catalans who were celebrating as goals from Alexis Sanchez, Leo Messi (scoring in his 13th consecutive league game), David Villa, Christian Tello, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique gave them a convincing 6-1 win in a game broadcast live on primetime in Asia.

Barca's day got a lot better with the last match of the day as Rayo Vallecano's incredible continued with a 2-1 win at home to second place Atletico Madrid.

Lass and Leo Baptistao scored early goal for Rayo and that was enough to decide an exciting south Madrid derby.

The win lifts Rayo to fifth in the table, while Atletico drop back to 12 points behind Barcelona with Falcao's 94th minute goal too late to be a mere anecdote..

Cristiano Ronaldo warmed up for his reencounter with former club, Manchester United in the Champions League next week with a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 4-1.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring as Sevilla gave an example of how not to defend against a side that may be 16 points behind Barca, but which is still lethal on the break.

Malaga's attacking midfielder Isco made his first appearance for Spain during the week and showed why he is rated as one of the most promising young players in the country with two goals which saw his side win 2-1 to a Levante side which had taken the lead through a Jose Barkero penalty.

Real Sociedad are also knocking on the door of Europe after a 2-1 win away to Zaragoza who have now lost 7 of 11 home games this season. Antoine Griezmann and Imanol Agirretxe scored for the Basque's while Apono scored a penalty for a dreadful Zaragoza side with virtually the last kick of the game.

Valencia's recovery continued at the expense of struggling Celta Vigo with Nelson Valdez's 93rd minute header sending the 3 points back with Ernesto Valverde's side.

Espanyol are also taking off under Javier Aguirre as shown by a 4-0 win away to Athletic Club Bilbao.

Hector Moreno opened the scoring with Joan Verdu, Victor Sanchez and Christian Stauni scoring further goals in the second half.

Meanwhile Deportivo la Coruna look doomed to relegation after a horrible 3-0 home defeat to Granada, who have taken 6 points from two games since Lucas Alcaraz took over as coach.

Finally Gregorio Manzano saw a late header from Pedro Geromel save a point against Osasuna as he cancelled out Lolo's opener for the visitors.

The round of matches ends on Monday when Betis entertain Valladolid.