MADRID, Oct. 21 -- FC Barcelona returned to the top of the Liga Santander on following the ninth round of matches in Spain thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Sevilla but paid a heavy price when Leo Messi suffered a fracture to the radial bone of his right arm which could sideline him for three weeks.

Sevilla travelled to the Camp Nou as league leaders, but quickly found themselves 2-0 down after Messi set up Phillipe Coutinho before doubling the lead himself.

That goal after just 13 minutes was one of his last actions of the game as he fell badly breaking his elbow, but a week before next weekend's 'Clasico' against Real Madrid.

Luis Suarez made it 3-0 to Barca from the penalty spot shortly after the hour and although Pablo Sarabia threw Sevilla slim lifeline 11 minutes from time, Ivan Rakitic netted against his former club to put Barca 4-1 in front, before Luis Muriel netted in injury time to establish the definitive 4-2 in the score-line.

Two goals from Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias took Barca's city neighbors, Espanyol into second place in the table. Borja scored a goal in each half in Espanyol's 2-0 win away to Huesca, whose new coach Francisco debuted with a defeat after replacing Leo Franco during the international break.

Julen Lopetegui's future as Real Madrid coach is very much in doubt after his side continued their dreadful run of form with a 2-1 defeat at home to Levante.

Marcelo's 72nd minute goal ended 481 minutes without a goal for Madrid, but was not enough to save after a point after they had gone 2-0 down in just 13 minutes following a solo goal from Jose Luis Morales and a Roger Marti penalty.

【体坛英语资讯：Barca back on top but Messi injured】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas Zheng to miss World Cup qualifier

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beckham says hes fit for England selection

★ 体坛英语资讯：Football fans express support for earthquake victims

★ 体坛英语资讯：Open finals: Tsonga dazzles, Shara, Ivanovic meet

★ 体坛英语资讯：Barcas title hopes dented

★ 体坛英语资讯：1st torchbearer: Beijing Olympic Games to be big success

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Gloves making a comeback as alternative accessory to brag bag

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Miss Serbia, Kosovo bury politics

★ 体坛英语资讯：Russias Safina snatches German Open title

★ 体坛资讯：Dynasty! Spurs win 4th NBA title