Real Madrid and Barcelona continue their winning ways

Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain both grabbed hat-tricks as Barcelona and Real Madrid maintained the status quo at the top of the Primera Division on Sunday night.

Barcelona 3-0 Valencia

Lionel Messi grabbed a second half hat-trick for Barcelona on Sunday night.

Valencia held their own in a cagey first half before Messi took centre stage with a wonderful treble.

The visitors never threatened a comeback once Hedwiges Maduro became the seventh Valencia player to be sent off in seven games shortly after Messi's opener.

Real Valladolid 1-4 Real Madrid

Real Madrid responded with an emphatic 4-1 win at Real Valladolid.

Cristiano Ronaldo put Manuel Pellegrini's side ahead with a trademark free-kick after 28 minutes and two Higuain strikes either side of half-time all but settled the issue with Madrid leading 3-0.

Raul Albiol bundled home a comical own goal before Higuain notched his third goal of the game, tapping in Ronaldo's cross-shot.

Sevilla 1-1 Deportivo

Sevilla were held at home to a 1-1 draw by fellow high-flyers Deportivo La Coruna.

It started well for the hosts when they took a first-half lead through Federico Fazio.

However, sixth-placed Depor, who are only two points behind the Andalusians, levelled up almost immediately through Adrian Lopez and despite the hosts hitting the woodwork twice and pushing hard for the win in the second half, the spoils were shared.

Spanish Liga Top Six Standings

Team        Pl   W D L  Fr Ag Pts 
Real Madrid 26  21 2 3  71:21  65 
Barcelona   26  20 5 1  64:16  65 
Valencia    26  13 8 5  42:29  47 
Sevilla     26  13 5 8  39:29  44 
Mallorca    26  13 4 9  41:31  43 
Deportivo   26  12 6 8  30:28  42