Messi leads rout

MADRID (AP): Lionel Messi ended a brief goalless run with his 13th career hat-trick as Barcelona beat Mallorca 5-0 yesterday to provisionally move top of the table.

Messi's goal drought of three matches had raised eyebrows in Spain, but the Argentina forward left no doubts over his form by taking his season tally to 19 goals inside half an hour. Isaac Cuenca and Daniel Alves added second-half goals at the Camp Nou.

"It seems crazy to me to say that I'm in a crisis after just three games without a goal," Messi said. "There's no pressure as long as the team keeps winning."

Barcelona jumped to 24 points from 10 games, one better than Levante and two over Real Madrid, which could have closed yesterday's play as leaders by beating Real Sociedad. Levante play at Osasuna today.

Villarreal prepared for their must-win Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano to end an eight-game winless run, while Valencia stayed in touch of the leaders with a 3-1 win over Getafe.