Luis Suarez scored four goals for the second game in a row and unseated Cristiano Ronaldo as La Liga top scorer as Barcelona thumped 10-man Sporting Gijon 6-0 with the help of three penalties to further affirm their title ambitions, last night.

Lionel Messi’s looping header put Barca ahead and Suarez doubled the lead from close range on 64 minutes.

The Uruguayan then netted two penalties in the space of three minutes and allowed Neymar to convert the third spot-kick before firing in his fourth goal in 26 minutes.

Suarez moved to 34 goals for the season, two more than Ronaldo, who was unavailable for Real Madrid this weekend with a thigh strain.

Sporting defender Ognjen Vranjes was sent off for a second booking for fouling Neymar for the third penalty.

Barcelona stay top of the Primera Division due to their superior head-to-head record with Atletico Madrid, who also have 82 points, while Real Madrid are third with 81.

Earlier in the day, Gareth Bale made up for the absence of Ronaldo by scoring twice to inspire Real Madrid to come back from two goals down and win 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico Madrid kept up their title hopes with a 1-0 home victory over Malaga thanks to a deflected goal by substitute Angel Correa on 62 minutes.

Coach Diego Simeone could be facing a three-game ban from the touchline after being sent off at half-time when a ball was thrown on to the pitch from the technical area.

Primera Liga
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid - 2-3
Atletico Madrid vs Malaga - 1-0
Barcelona vs Sporting Gijon - 6-0
Eibar vs Deportivo - 1-1

Playing today
Levante vs Athletic Bilbao - 12.00
Sevilla vs Real Betis - 16.00
Getafe vs Valencia - 18.15
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad - 20.30

Tomorrow
Celta Vigo vs Granada - 20.30

Leading standings: Barcelona, Atl. Madrid 82; R. Madrid 81; Villarreal 60; A. Bilbao, Celta Vigo 54; Sevilla 49.