Three goals each from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal helped Barcelona thrash their bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the 3-0 win, Barcelona open up a 14-point advantage over the title holders who have a game in hand against Leganes.
Many had expected Real Madrid to put behind them the disappointment of the few weeks of the season that had seen them fall 8-points behind the Blaugrana after winning the Club World Cup last weekend but Zinedine Zidane’s team could not build on the momentum to cut the point deficit.
Barcelona top the table with nine points over second-placed Atletico Madrid who slumped to a shocking 1-0 defeat away to Espanyol on Friday.
Valencia stand a chance to reclaim second spot against Villarreal later today