Barcelona 5 - 0 Sevilla (Highlights): David Villa is back!

Barcelona 5 - 0 Sevilla
(1-0) 4' Messi, (2-0) 23' Villa, (3-0) 53' Alves, (4-0) 64' Messi, (5-0) 90' Villa

For those who like their statistics, there was only ever going to be one winner here. Sevilla had lost their last two league matches in the Camp Nou 4-0. They had only ever won 6 of their 66 encounters in the stadium, the last of which came in 2003. And so it turned out as Barcelona swaggered to a convincing 5-0 victory which served to underline the gulf in class between the the 'Big Two' and the chasing pack. Gregorio Manzano has managed to arrest an early-season slide at Sevilla, but tonight he was a helpless bystander as his team were unceremoniously ripped apart by a rampant Barca. Much has been made of Barcelonas uncertain form at home this season, but tonight they were back to their best as Lionel Messi and David Villa both grabbed two goals apiece, with former Sevilla full back Dani Alves volleying in the other. David Villas first was an absolute peach of a goal, cutting in from the right to curl a beauty past young keeper Javi Vargas with his supposedly weaker left peg. His second wasn't too bad either, almost a carbon copy of Messis second, rifling in from outside the box. Things are beginning to hot up nicely as we begin the countdown to Novembers Clasico in the Camp Nou.



Atletico Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona (Highlights)

Atletico Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona
(0-1) 13' Messi, (1-1) 25' Raul Garcia, (1-2) 32' Pique

Having lost in the Vicente Calderon on their last three visits, Pep Guardiola finally broke his duck at the home of Atletico Madrid, but it came at a cost. Lionel Messi had been his usual magnificent self, scoring the first and forcing the corner which lead to Piques strike. Barcelona rolled out some champagne football, but Atletico more than contributed to a feisty contest which ended with Tomas Ujfalusi planting the sole of his foot on Messis ankle, a tackle which lead to the Czech defender seeing a straight red and which will see Messi miss the next ten days of action.

Atletico put their UEFA Europa League flop behind them with a commited display, coming from behind to equalise through Raul Garcias header. The talk of the build up was whether Sergio Agüero would make it in time for the match. He did, but he clearly wasn't match fit and was hauled off after 50 minutes. It wasn't one of those vintage displays from Barcelona, but ultimately their sporadic flashes of class were enough to see off the Colchoneros, with David De Gea pulling off some world class saves in the second half to keep the defecit respectable. The young keepers mantle as Iker Casillas' heir to the throne in the Spanish national side is gathering more and more weight by the day. Pep Guardiola claimed after the match that if Atleti show this much fight in all their matches, they'll be contenders for the league. Post-match goodwill or not, you can't help but agree. Trouble is, can they maintain this form over the course of a season?

Tonights other results:

Malaga 1 - 2 Sevilla
(1-0) 14' Rondon, (1-1) 19' Alfaro, (1-2) 46' Caceres

Racing Santander 2 - 0 Real Zaragoza
(1-0) 76' Henrique, (2-0) 90' Ariel

Levante 1 - 2 Villarreal
(0-1) 16' Nilmar, (0-2) 42' Nilmar, (1-2)  90' Caicedo

Hercules 1 - 2 Valencia

(0-1) 2' Mata, (0-2) 23' Pablo Hernandez, (1-2) 43' Trezeguet (p)

BARCELONA LA LIGA CHAMPIONS 2010! Leo Messi signs off with 47 goals (Highlights)

Barcelona 4 - 0 Real Valladolid
(1-0) 27' Prieto (o.g) (2-0) 31' Pedro, (3-0) 61' Messi, (4-0) 75' Messi

Barcelona sealed their second consecutive league triumph, crowning themselves La Liga Champions 2010 with a comfortable four goal win over relegated Real Valladolid. After overcoming a nervy start in which Victor Valdes, who wins the seasons Zamora trophy, almost gifted Manucho the opening goal, Pedro and Leo Messi guided Barca to the title with a customary exhibition of attacking football and lethal finishing. Barcelona relied on a own goal from Luis Prieto to calm the nerves, but once Pedro slotted in the second the Camp Nou transformed into a 98,000 strong party. News had filtered through about Dudas goal for Malaga against Real Madrid but with further goals from Pichichi and Golden Boot winner Lionel Messi, the match in Andalucia was ultimately irrelevant. The Argentine capped another riproaring season with his 33rd and 34th league goals, which took his total for the season in all competitions to a remarkable 47 strikes, equalling the record for Barcelona set by a certain Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima in 1996/1997. The final whistle confirmed Real Valladolids descent into La Segunda and sent thousands of euforic Barca fans on a familiar journey to Plaza Catalunya to revel what has been another dominant season in Spain. During the post-match celebrations on the pitch the players donned shirts which read 'Don't think about one season, think about history'. The Pep dream team have just written another chapter in Barcelonas.

PS. I've seen that a lot of people have entered looking for that shirt they're wearing, so in case you're interested you can buy it HERE!

Malaga 1 - 1 Real Madrid
(1-0) 9' Duda, (1-1) 48' Van der Vaart

Real Madrid were unable to conjure up a win that would have given them a slim chance of snatching the title from Barcelona at the death as Malaga grabbed a crucial point which confirmed their top flight survival. In the end todays result in the Rosaleda was inconsequential with regard to the title given Barcas rout of Valladolid. Portuguese winger Duda scored the goal that kept Malaga in the top flight, controlling Caicedos audacious backheel to scuff a shot past Iker Casillas. From then on it was all about Malaga keeper Gustavo Munua who kept a increasingly disheartened Real Madrid at bay. Not even goalmachines Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain were able to sign the season off with a winning goal, with Madrid having to be content with a point earned through Rafeal Van der Vaarts neat equaliser. After an outlay of close to €270 million last summer, Florentino Perez will not be impressed by his empty trophy cabinet, although in defence of doomed manager Manuel Pellegrini, Real Madrid have beaten their record for league points and wins. Not his fault Madrid are competing against the finest team of our generation, but his future at the Bernabeu appears to be at an end. Expect uncle Florentino to dispose of the Chilean and open the biggest chequebook in world football once more.

Valencia 1 - 0 Tenerife
(1-0) 91' Alexis

Even though Valencia were playing for pride they completely outclassed a surprisingly tame Tenerife to send Ruben Barajas off on a high and their visitors down to the second division. Only a series of stops from Tenerife keeper Sergio Aragoneses prevented Valencia from scoring five or six and all this without David Villa and David Silva who were prevented from lighting up the Mestalla for possibly the last time. Centre-back Alexis got the goal in added time, as Tenerife were left to rue a passionless performance which cost them their Liga status.

Osasuna 1 - 1 Xerez
(1-0) 55' Dady, (1-1) 61' Antoñito

It wasn't to be for Nestor Gorosito and his Xerez side as they came up short against Osasuna in Pamplona. Los Azulinos depended on other results and while Real Valladolid and Tenerife both lost, the draw for Malaga would have sent them down even if they had found that elusive second goal. Cheered on by over 1000 away fans, Xerez were all over Osasuna, yet fell behind to Dadys strike just after half-time. But just as they've done on what has been a heroic second half to the season, the Jerezanos fought back into the match through sub Antoñitos long range effort. Xerez drop back down into La Segunda in their inaugural season in the first division, although their fans and everyone connected to the club can be immensely proud of the pure effort and determination shown over the last few months. If Gorosito stays on, expect the Andalucians to mount a serious challenge to jump straight back up.

Racing Santander 2 - 0 Sporting Gijon
(1-0) 34' Tchite, (2-0) 54' Tchite

There was only going to be one winner here, as Sporting Gijon sent out a team full of reserves and youth teamers which couldnt cope with a Racing team playing to keep themselves in La Liga. Burundi striker Mohamed Tchite got both the goals which kept Santander up, one a clinical header and the other a tidy finish inside the six yard box. Miguel Portugal will be relieved to have maintained Racing in the first division but the Sardinero let their feelings be known regarding what has been a shocking season. Time to clear out the dead wood and start afresh.

El Clasico: Barcelona and Messi show who's boss (Full Highlights)

Real Madrid 0 - 2 Barcelona
(0-1) 32' Messi, (0-2) 55' Pedro

Barcelona dealt a decisive blow in the title race, with a dominant display in the Bernabeu after Saturdays Clasico yielded a deserved 2-0 victory for 'Los Cules'. A match that was relatively lacking in quality but fraught with tension, two moments of sheer class from Xavi Hernandez set Messi and Pedro free, with both finishing emphatically past Iker Casillas. Cristiano Ronaldo produced a performance that was eerily similar to his showing for Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final against Barca. The first ten minutes he looked lively and dangerous, but when Xavi and Barca grabbed hold of the ball and refused to let it go, the Portuguese star faded dramatically. He is so intent on proving to the rest of the watching world that he is better than Leo Messi, that he forgets that football is essentially a team sport. His hissy fits and bouts of petulance do nothing for his manager or team.

It wasn't by any means a classic Barca performance, but it didn't need to be. Real Madrid were clueless in midfield and shaky at the back. Gonzalo Higuain did nothing to prove his doubters wrong, and Manuel Pellegrini only managed to draw more unnecessary criticism with substitutes that were more designed to please the upper echalons of Real Madrid than help the team itself. What Madrid lacked, Barca offered in abundance. Gerard Pique and Puyol were majestic in defence. Xavi and Busquets devine in midfield. And when the chances came their way, Messi and Pedro dispatched them clinically. Quite why Real Madrid started with Fernando Gago instead of Lass is a mystery. Gago was never going to contain Xavi, and this one tactical lapse proved crucial. Yet more than concentrate on tactical errors, the team, and more importantly Manuel Pellegrini, are handicapped by what happens behind the scenes. Real Madrid and all that surrounds the club needs to take a long hard look at itself. Headlines filled with arrogant statements of how they are going to win 3-0, or how Cristiano is going to prove he is better than Messi, need to stop. The club and press need to get off the managers back, and let him get on with his job. If Pellegrini doesnt survive the chop this summer, they need to give complete autonomy to whoever comes in. Florentino Perez and Jorge Valdano cannot be allowed to solely decide who is purchased. The writing was on the wall for Pellegrini before he even started. And with Marca on a mission to get rid of the Chilean, his future is bleak on the Bernabeu bench.

In the meantime what is evident is that Real Madrid are not in the same league as Barca. They may well be able to keep up with the Catalans whilst both are trawling their way across Spain against inferior opposition, but when they come face to face, there is only one winner right now. And as we enter the home straight in La Liga 2009/2010 there also only appears to be one winner. Pep Guardiola and his players have produced some spectacular football this year, led by the irrepresible Lionel Messi. Humble, honest, hard-working and truly world class sum up Messi and Barca. Qualities severely lacking at the Bernabeu.

Malaga 1 - 2 Sevilla

(1-0) 16' Caicedo, (1-1) 65' Cala, (1-2) 84' Lolo

Xerez 0 - 1 Getafe

(0-1) 60' Rafa

Villarreal 1 - 0 Sporting Gijon

(1-0) 16' Godin

Tenerife 0 - 0 Real Valladolid

La Liga News: The search for Pepes replacement

Whilst the news that Real Madrid defender Pepe will miss the rest of the season is tragic, the rumour that they will be looking to replace him with a full-back is mystifying. Or at least at first sight. The theory is that Madrid are well-covered in the centre of defence through Garay, Albiol, Metzelder and Sergio Ramos (accident waiting to happen), with Arbeloa on the right and Marcelo to be asked to retreat to left-back. The Brazilian has worked wonders upfield, always offering a threat with his pace and trickery (second goal against Valencia was all his work), but whilst there are worries about his tactical nous at the back, the Madrid hierarchy are prepared to take the risk. But even so, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo in the same back four without big Pepe? Iker Casillas will be a busy man.

BARCELONA LANDED IN ABU DHABI late last night, with both Leo Messi and Seydou Keita doubts for their World Club Cup semi-final match against Atlante of Mexico. Guardiola will be looking to lead his team into a likely final against Estudiantes of Argentina, but the Mexicans won't be a push-over, with their 32 year-old goalie Federico 'The Boss' Vilar every bit a legend in South America, after leading his team to CONCACAF Champions League glory. Meanwhile, back home the debate is still rife about THAT penalty. Espanyol defender Baena has come out and denied that he admitted dragging back Xavi. 'Why would I? I never touched him'. The truth is he did 'touch' him, but if they give a penalty for every similar action in the future, there'll be twenty a match.

STRIKER ALEJANDRO 'CHORI' DOMINGUEZ, recently voted as Russias Player of the Year for 2008/2009, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Valencia after arriving on a free transfer. The Argentinian was a hit in Rubin Kazan and former club Zenith St Petersburg, where he formed a formidable partnership with Arshavin which lead the club to UEFA Cup glory in 2008. Are Valencia preparing for life after David Villa? Or is it just the beginning of the end for back-up strikers Zigic and Miku?

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: A defining weekend

It's a question that has probably been asked a billion and one times. Who is better; Messi or Ronaldo? It's a question I've always found impossible to answer. It's the modern day 'Pele or Maradona' or 'Beckenbauer or Cruyff'? They are the two best players in the world right now without a shadow of doubt. But they are two completely different players and besides, how do you define better? The most entertaining? Whoever scores the most? Do you use figures and stats or simply what you see on your television screen? But leaving all that aside, I think this weekend has shown me who I would rather have in my team.

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Cristiano was devastating at times against Almería, slicing through their defence with superhuman ease. He set up Sergio Ramos' header with instant one-touch control and a wonderfully flighted cross. He won a penalty with a fantastic burst of pace and he scored the fourth with a superbly timed run. All this only two games into coming back from two months out injured. But whilst what happened after he missed his penalty is all too easy to condemn, I think it has shown Real Madrid an element of Ronaldo's personality that they were perhaps unaware of before. Or at least they turned a blind eye to it.

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His undeterred drive for individual success before all else. I would never criticise him for that, because it's exactly what has got him where he is. Yet ever since I saw him fall to the ground after John Terry had missed the penalty which handed Man Utd the 2008 Champions League, in an ever so slightly disrespectful show of self-pity having missed his own, it's been very clear exactly where Ronaldos loyalties lie. But no manager will ever complain when he's banging in 45 goals a season and leading his team to league and Champions League glory. Neither will his teammates complain. They are all after the same thing, and who wouldn't want Cristiano in their side?

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But then you have Lionel Messi. Equally devastating, but willing to give up a chance to score so that someone else can take the glory. That shy smile when he has just tucked away another of his wondergoals, or just been presented with another trophy. If he doesn't score or even if he doesn't play well, this all plays second fiddle to team success. As long as Barcelona are winning. It's that humble attitude; his unease at being the centre of attention; that look of shock when he is given man-of-the-match. It just makes me warm to Messi more than Ronaldo, and simply for these reasons (because in terms of trophies and personal gongs they've both won it all) I would rather have him in my team. If I had to choose of course.

Leo Messi takes the Ballon D'or 2009

It was never really in doubt, but early this morning France Football published an article on its website which confirmed Lionel Messi as 2009s winner of the coveted Ballon D'or, winning the prize by a huge margin of 240 points. Third in 2007 and second last year, Messi has finally reached the individual pinnacle of European football and has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo as the continents star performer. Fully deserved, as he played a huge role in helping Barcelona to their League, Cup and Champions League treble last season and scored the decisive second goal in the 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Champions League final.

Although he has struggled a little so far this year, there is no better sight on a football field than Leo Messi running at full flight with the ball seemingly sewed onto his foot, and whereas Cristiano embodies all that is pace, power and accuracy, Messi just has that little bit of extra magic in his boots. Superb balance, extraterrestrial speed of thought and foot and the ability to dribble out of the tightest of situations. We should feel honoured that we are able to enjoy his talent during our lifetime, much like I'm sure fans did in the age of Pele, Cruyff and Maradona; unfortunately a bit before my time. Tomorrow night I'll be lucky enough to experience the Messi magic from a matter of metres as Xerez welcome Barca to Chapin. An early xmas present.

Best of the rest 

Behind Messi were Ronaldo and Xavi in second and third respectively, whilst Iniesta, Eto'o, Kaká, Ibrahimovic, Rooney, Drogba y Gerrard made up the top ten in that order. The only question I have about that top ten is...where is Fernando Torres? Eleventh. He's done more than Drogba and Rooney in the last year, and surely deserves a place in the top ten, perhaps even the top five. Also interesting to note that not one defender makes the top ten, with the highest placed being Nemanja Vidic in 16th. Piqué, Puyol and Pepe not even on the list? Strange. Other Spaniards who did make the list were Cesc Fabregas in 12th, Iker Casillas in 16th and David Villa in 26th.

My early bet for Ballon D'or 2010 is Xavi Hernandez. After leading Barcelona to a second consecutive Champions League and Spain to glory in South Africa.