MADRID, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona moved to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga following a convincing away win over Malaga after the season's ninth round of games. Midfielder Xavi Hernandez scored two goals and Leo Messi added another as Barcelona beat the home side, which had gone into the game with four consecutive wins, by 4-1. The last Barcelona goal was an own goal on a pitch made virtually unplayable by constant heavy rain.

The rain was a key factor in the Mestalla Stadium where the Valencia side crashed to a shock 4-2 home defeat to struggling Racing Santander. Valencia had started the weekend top of the table, but a hat-trick from Racing forward Mohamed Tchite was to prove decisive. David Villa and Joaquin scored for Valencia, who never adapted to a muddy playing surface.

Valencia is now joint third along with Real Madrid, who could only draw 1-1 away to Almeria. The deadlock in a tight and tactical first half was broken when Raul Gonzalez headed Real Madrid ahead following a cross from Gonzalo Higuain.

However, the home side, after not scoring in their last two games, reacted well in the second half and Pablo Piatti levelled from close range with nine minutes remaining.

Villarreal also kept the pressure on and moved into second place thanks to a 4-1 win in Bilbao.

A tight first half ended with the scores level at 1-1 and Athletic Bilbao's players will think themselves unfortunate not to have been ahead. However, Villarreal were to prove lethal on the break in the second 45 minutes, with Robert Pires, Santi Cazorla and a goal from substitute Jozy Altidore sealing the points.

【体坛英语资讯：Barcelona go top in Spains Primera Liga】相关文章：

★ 体坛资讯：China race into Sudirman Cup final

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bielsa comes back to take charge of Chile

★ 体坛英语资讯：One injured on second day of Argentine soccer violence

★ 体坛英语资讯：All the NBA is a stage

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Accused Uma Thurman stalker indicted

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yao for MVP already?

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas new and old set early pace at worlds

★ 娱乐资讯：Lohan to complete extended rehab program

★ 体坛英语资讯：Shaq: I will give Yao fancy new wheels as wedding gift

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames to reteam in sci-fi thriller