Barca biting at leader's heels

With Lionel Messi's fifth goal in six matches this year, Barcelona saw off Eibar 4-0 on Sunday to keep pace with Real Madrid and Sevilla at La Liga's halfway point.

Substitute Denis Suarez, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and Brazil forward Neymar also netted as the defending champion cruised to victory to move to within two points of Madrid and one back of second-place Sevilla.

Madrid, which has a game in hand, held onto top spot with a 2-1 victory over Malaga 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday. Two goals by defender Sergio Ramos snapped Real's three-game winless streak. Sevilla beat Osasuna 4-3 on Sunday.