Barcelona showed Real Madrid they will take some budging from the top of the table with an emphatic 6-0 home win over Malaga 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 Barca'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 could not 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."

Barca have plundered 84 goals this season at an average of three goals a game and are well on course to reach a century before the end of the season. Cameroon attacker Eto'o leads the way with 25 goals, while Messi has 19 for the season and Henry 15. The trio were on the scoresheet against Malaga, but Brazilian Alves had the honour of scoring the goal of the game, heading in after a sublime pass from Andres Iniesta had carved the visitors open.

"It was a great assist from Andres. I didn't have to do much, just help it along," said Alves. "I don't score many with my head. To be honest, most of the ones I have scored have been own goals! We are not watching what Real are doing. If we don't slip up and keep winning, it is in our hands."

Earlier, Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it eight goals in his last six games with a brace as Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 win over Almeria. Brazilian Marcelo, jeered by his own fans this season, silenced the doubters with a 23rd minute opener, before Huntelaar showed his predatory instincts in the 52nd and 65th minutes to wrap up the spoils.

"Marcelo is growing as a player day-by-day and is getting better playing on the left hand side," said Real coach Juande Ramos. "He scored a fantastic goal and that is great for his confidence."

"I don't worry about people saying I am a defensive coach. We promised three goals a game and in the last six games the statistics [they have scored 22 goals] speak for themselves."