MADRID, Dec. 17 -- FC Barcelona enjoyed an easy 4-0 win at home to Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday night to stretch their lead at the top of the Liga Santander to six points over second place Atletico Madrid, eight over Valencia and 11 over Real Madrid, who didn't play this weekend as they were in the World Club Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Barca led 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Paullinho, before Suarez made it 3-0 soon after the break, Messi had a penalty saved and Paulinho netted his second after a Suarez shot hit the post and the final score would have been bigger if Messi hadn't hit the woodwork on three separate occasions.

The only setback for Barca was a muscle injury to Paco Alcacer means he will miss next weekend's Clasico against Real Madrid.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game as Atletico Madrid moved to second place in the Liga Santander on Saturday night following a 1-0 win at home to Deportivo Alaves.

Torres' goal came 15 minutes from the end as Atletico struggled to break down a rival who remain in the relegation zone, but who have improved drastically in 3 matches under new coach Abelardo Fernandez.

Atletico's win took them above Valencia who fell to their second consecutive away defeat as they were beaten 2-1 away to Eibar in a rainy Ipurua Stadium.

Eibar worked tremendously hard and looked to pressure Valencia who had three key players out injured, high up the pitch. That pressure set up Takshi Inui for the opening goal four minutes after halftime.

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