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Messi answers critics with hat-trick Lionel Messi answered critics who suggested he needed a rest with a 17-minute hat-trick as Barcelona swept aside Real Mallorca 5-0 in La Liga on Saturday
The World Player of the Year had not been at his best in recent games, failing to score in three outings, but made up for lost time with a first-half treble at the Nou Camp that took his league tally for the season to 13. Barca won a penalty for a handball in the 13th minute and Messi, who had a last-minute spot kick saved last weekend, blasted the ball high into the net. Adriano's cross-cum-shot was turned in by the Argentine in the 21st and he then volleyed the third from a Dani Alves cross in the 30th. Barca youth team forward Isaac Cuenca notched the fourth on his home debut in the 50th, rounding the keeper from Thiago Alcantara's defence-splitting pass and Alves crashed in a fifth from distance at the end. Champions Barca went top with 24 points from 10 games but could be overtaken if Real Madrid (22) win away at Real Sociedad in the late game. Surprise pace-setters Levante (23) visit Osasuna on Sunday. Earlier, Villarreal dragged themselves out of the bottom three with a 2-0 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano, easing the pressure on coach Juan Carlos Garrido. Bruno Soriano headed in at a free kick after 20 minutes and captain Marcos Senna had a penalty saved just before the break. Borja Valero settled nerves at the Madrigal with a solo effort in the 67th minute, earning Villarreal their second league win of the season. The victory came at a cost, however, with Argentine striker Marco Ruben limping off to join first-choice forwards Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi on the injury list. Villarreal climbed to 13th with 10 points. Elsewhere, fourth-placed Valencia, on 21 points, were 3-1 winners at home to Getafe. Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli scored his first league goals for the club in the first half, either side of a Diego Castro strike for Getafe. Aritz Aduriz wrapped up the points from a superb pass by Ever Banega in the 76th.
