Lionel Messi scored within three minutes of returning to action for the first time in more than three weeks to help fire La Liga champions Barcelona to a resounding 4-0 home win over Deportivo La Coruna yesterday.

City rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid retained joint top spot by thrashing Granada, 7-1, and Real Betis, 6-1, respectively.

At the Camp Nou, Brazilian midfielder Rafinha put Barca ahead in the 21st minute with the help of lax goalkeeping from Deportivo’s German Lux and slid in the second goal after the stopper failed to hold Gerard Pique’s header.

Luis Suarez combined with Neymar to stretch Barca’s lead two minutes before the break and substitute Messi latched on to a through ball from the Brazilian to stroke the ball high into the net in the 58th.

“Messi did not take long to make his mark on the game,” said Luis Enrique, who adopted an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation for the second time this season.

“Our aim was to surprise them and it worked how we wanted it to. We created lots of chances and they created none.

“Deportivo have conceded very few goals this season and we got four.”

Earlier, a late strike from Pablo Sarabia gave Sevilla a dramatic 3-2 win at Leganes to end their 17-month spell without an away league win.

Primera Liga
Leganes vs Sevilla - 2-3
Barcelona vs Deportivo - 4-0
Atletico Madrid vs Granada - 7-1
Real Betis vs Real Madrid - 1-6

Playing today
Alaves vs Malaga - 12.00
A. Bilbao vs R. Sociedad - 16.15
Sporting Gijon vs Valencia - 18.30
Villarreal vs Celta Vigo - 20.45

Tomorrow
Eibar vs Osasuna - 20.45

Leading standings: Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid 18; Sevilla 17; Barcelona 16; Villarreal 13; Las Palmas, Athletic Bilbao 12.

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