Ronaldinho inspired Barcelona to a 5-1 drubbing of Real Betis while Real Madrid crushed Alaves 3-0 in Primera Liga action on Saturday. Ronnie, returning from a two-game suspension, scored a goal and swindled hapless Betis defender Melli into two own-goals. Swede international Henrik Larsson and Argentine youngster Lionel Messi added a goal each for Barca while Spain's Joaquin the visitors' consolation. The result means Barcelona are still in charge of the Liga table with 55 points, seven clear of Real Madrid. Ronaldinho orchestrated the home side's first goal when he weighted a pass to newly crowned African footballer of the year Samuel Eto'o who sent a low cross that was met by the on rushing Larsson at the far post. In the 28th minute, a shaky Melli deflected Ronaldinho's through pass to Eto'o past wrong-footed keeper Toni Doblas and into his own net. Five minutes later Ronaldinho's free-kick hit an unheeding Melli in the back before trickling over the goal line, leaving Doblas ruing his luck. Doblas wasn't without sin himself as he failed to get a grip on Ronaldinho's 58th minute set piece allowing Barca to register the fourth.
Robinho was on target for Real Joaquin pulled on back for Betis when he surprised Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes with near post free-kick one minute past the hour. Messi capped a spectacular night for the Spanish champions when he shook off two defenders and fired a close range left-footer home with five minutes left to play. Earlier, Real Madrid continued their pursuit of pace-setters Barcelona with a 3-0 home win over Alaves. Guti fired home the opener for Real as early as the 6th minute before Robinho pounced on a rebound, after Julio Baptista's bicycle kick crashed against the post, to net the second five minutes later. In the 77th minute, Brazilian substitute Cicinho struck the third after Antonio Cassano and Real icon Raul, returning from a 3-month layoff due to injury, combined to set him up. Elsewhere, Villarreal gave themselves a much needed boost ahead of their mid-week Champions League encounter with Scottish giants Rangers. The Yellow Submarines thrashed Espanyol 4-0, thanks to goals from Alessio Tacchinardi, Marcos Senna, Diego Forlan and Hector Font. Argentine striker Javier Saviola scored to give Sevilla a 1-0 home win over Celta Vigo.
