<p>Pique was sent off in the 25th minute for a wild challenge on Rafa Lopez. Marquez walked at the end after bundling over Kepa for a last-minute penalty scored by Roberto Soldado but the game was effectively over by then. <br /><br />Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Xavi netted in the 67th as Barca continued to create the clearer chances despite their numerical disadvantage. <br />The unbeaten champions moved on to 55 points from 21 games, and remained five ahead of second-placed Real, who comfortably swept aside Espanyol. <br /><br />Sergio Ramos headed in from a freekick early on and Kaka doubled the lead after Carlos Kameni could only parry a Raul header in the 30th minute. Gonzalo Higuain returned from injury to grab a third at the end. Getafe attempted to take the game to Barca by starting with two strikers but it was the home side who struck first when Messi curled in a shot from the edge of the area for his 16th goal of the campaign. <br /><br />Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Seydou Keita all went close before the Argentine World Player of the Year broke away on a counter-attack and squared for Xavi to give them a two-goal cushion. <br /><br />Getafe, who have a King's Cup semifinal second leg against Sevilla next week, had plenty of possession but created little until they were gifted a penalty in added time. <br />Earlier, Valencia spoiled Onesimo Sanchez's debut as Real Valladolid coach, winning 2-0 to stay third with 42 points.<br /></p>
<p>Pique was sent off in the 25th minute for a wild challenge on Rafa Lopez. Marquez walked at the end after bundling over Kepa for a last-minute penalty scored by Roberto Soldado but the game was effectively over by then. <br /><br />Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Xavi netted in the 67th as Barca continued to create the clearer chances despite their numerical disadvantage. <br />The unbeaten champions moved on to 55 points from 21 games, and remained five ahead of second-placed Real, who comfortably swept aside Espanyol. <br /><br />Sergio Ramos headed in from a freekick early on and Kaka doubled the lead after Carlos Kameni could only parry a Raul header in the 30th minute. Gonzalo Higuain returned from injury to grab a third at the end. Getafe attempted to take the game to Barca by starting with two strikers but it was the home side who struck first when Messi curled in a shot from the edge of the area for his 16th goal of the campaign. <br /><br />Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Seydou Keita all went close before the Argentine World Player of the Year broke away on a counter-attack and squared for Xavi to give them a two-goal cushion. <br /><br />Getafe, who have a King's Cup semifinal second leg against Sevilla next week, had plenty of possession but created little until they were gifted a penalty in added time. <br />Earlier, Valencia spoiled Onesimo Sanchez's debut as Real Valladolid coach, winning 2-0 to stay third with 42 points.<br /></p>
