Depleted Barca a class apart from Santander

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BARCELONA, Spain, Feb 20, 2010 (AFP) - Spanish league leaders Barcelona put their injury concerns to one side as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday.

The Catalan side had seen their lead at the top reduced to two points following their first league defeat last weekend against Atletico Madrid but they were comfortably in charge from the start against Racing.

Despite missing several key players including Dani Alves, Xavi Hernandez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barca went ahead after seven minutes through Andres Iniesta who latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area.

Racing went further behind through a tame goal when a Thierry Henry free-kick went straight through their wall, but then minutes later another from almost exactly the same spot was struck perfectly by veteran Mexican international defender Rafa Marquez and went in off the post.

Racing offered few moments of danger on the counter-attack and their newly discovered prodigy Sergio Canales had a quiet game.

There were fewer clear-cut chances in the second half but substitute Thiago Alcantara made Barca's win more emphatic with a deflected goal six minutes from the end.

Later on Saturday Sevilla condemned Mallorca to their first home defeat of the season as they ran out 3-1 winners and took a crucial advantage in the fight for a Champions League place.

The result means that Sevilla have now gone four points clear of fifth placed Deportivo la Coruna while Mallorca, who have been enjoying one of the best seasons in their history, suffered their second successive defeat.

Mallorca went ahead through Mario Suarez but Sevilla were well worth their equaliser when Jesus Navas beat the Mallorca defence to the ball and then slotted home.

The referee then took centre stage sending off Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo - his second red card in as many matches - followed by Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis in what appeared to be very harsh decisions.

After the break Ivica Dragutinovic put Sevilla ahead and Diego Perotti slid home a cross from Navas for their third.

In the final minute Sevilla were reduced to nine-men when Didier Zokora was dismissed after a second yellow card for dissent.

A couple of goals within the first seven minutes saw Deportivo la Coruna beat Spanish league bottom side Xerez 2-1 and move up to fifth in the table.

The home side made a quick fire start scoring from the penalty spot after just two minutes when Vicente Moreno was punished for holding Diego Colotto.

Mexican Jose Guardado made no mistake to put Deportivo ahead and soon Xerez, in disarray, were further behind.

Ivan Riki latched onto a through ball and kept his composure before shooting past keeper Renan Brito.

Xerez had a mountain to climb but did come back into the game as Deportivo took their foot off the pedal and Mario Bermejo pulled a goal back with a header.

In the second half Deportivo tightened up at the back and Xerez were unable to find an equaliser. In fact it was Deportivo who went closest to scoring again with a long range effort from Juan Rodriguez which came back off the crossbar.