Barcelona defeated Levante 5-1 at the weekend to move a step closer to Real Madrid at the top of the table. The impressive Samuel Eto'o scored three goals after returning from the African Cup of Nations for the first time. Xavi and Messi also grabbed Barca goals.

Spanish international Xavi Hernandez scored his third goal in four games after 14 minutes to put Barcelona in front but Levante equalized with a Mustapha Riga penalty after 40 minutes, when Gianluca Zambrotta handled.

Lionel Messi restored Barcelona's lead three minutes later before Eto'o took center stage.

The Cameroon striker was on target after 55 and 61 minutes, Messi laying on both openings, and completed his first hat-trick of the season, more than half of which has been lost to injury, despite mis-hitting a pass from Bojan Krkic two minutes before the whistle.