Barcelona maintained their unbeaten run in the Primera Liga after crushing Real Valladolid 3-0 away to move eight points clear at the top of the table on Saturday. In-form midfielder Xavi put the Catalans ahead midway through the first half with a superb volley to round off a swift counter attack that he initiated with a neat back-heel. Lively right-back Daniel Alves doubled the lead one minute later when he caught out the advancing keeper with a perfect lob from the right. World Player of the Year Lionel Messi completed the rout on 54 minutes to notch his sixth goal in three games, taking his tally to 15 at the halfway point of the season. Barcelona's win puts pressure on second-placed Real Madrid, who face Malaga on Sunday.