Ronaldinho shines as Barcelona go clear at top

Barcelona turned on the style to pull three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga with a 2-1 win over Deportivo Coruna on Saturday.

Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, who has been at the centre of intense media speculation over his future, helped set up goals for Lionel Messi before the break and Samuel Eto'o soon after the restart.

As the home team eased off, Depor pulled a goal back through Adrian Lopez and Barca suffered an uncomfortable final few minutes before taking their points tally to 56 from 28 games.

Second-placed Sevilla can go level at the top again by winning at Osasuna on Sunday.

Valencia put their title challenge back on track with an entertaining 3-2 home win over Espanyol that moved them up to third.

Spain striker David Villa acrobatically volleyed the hosts into an early lead and, after Albert Riera had levelled for Espanyol, set up Vicente and Miguel Angel Angulo for goals either side of halftime.

Espanyol pulled a goal back through Luis Garcia in the 63rd minute and made Valencia sweat until the end.

Valencia have 50 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid who visit Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Earlier, Real Betis defender Juanito scored a dramatic late equaliser to earn a 3-3 home draw with Villarreal.

The match was played at Seville's La Cartuja stadium with Betis serving the first of a three-match stadium ban imposed after Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious by a bottle thrown from the stands.

RONALDINHO BRILLIANCE

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan twice put Villarreal ahead but headers from Fernando and Edu levelled the scores.

French midfielder Robert Pires then notched his first goal for Villarreal 12 minutes from time.

Deportivo's hard-running style unsettled Barca for much of the first half at the Nou Camp until a moment of brilliance from Ronaldinho opened up the defence in the 45th minute.

The Brazilian flicked the ball away from his marker with a sudden change of direction and floated it over the top for the on-rushing Messi to send a fierce left-foot shot high into the net.

Six minutes after the break Ronaldinho cut in off the left flank to play one-twos with Andres Iniesta and Xavi before the ball fell to Eto'o to add the second.

Barca threatened to run away with it as they showcased their skills but Depor keeper Dudu Aouate pulled off several fine stops.

A sloppy header from Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the 69th minute allowed Depor substitute Lopez to pull one back.