Magical Messi fires Barcelona

---

BARCELONA, Nov 30(AFP): A brace from Lionel Messi helped Barcelona clinch a 3-0 victory over Sevilla Saturday and open a six-point lead at the top of the Spanish league as Real Madrid crashed 3-1 at city rivals Getafe.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had told his players beforehand to show commitment and it was needed against a Sevilla side who battled for every ball.
The game was played at a frantic pace with few clear chances but it was Barcelona who made the most of theirs with Messi once again the outstanding player.
In the opening minutes Luis Fabiano shot over from inside the box for Sevilla but after 20 minutes it was Samuel Eto'o who opened the scoring latching onto a loose ball in the area and firing home.
Fabiano then went close again and Frederic Kanoute felt unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after tumbling in the box following a challenge from Gerard Pique, but the clearest chance came later for Kanoute who could only hit the crossbar after beating the offside trap.
In the second half, both sides were reduced to shots from distance before Messi took centre stage.
The Argentine ran onto a ball from midfield and volleyed into the corner from 25 yards to extend Barca's lead after 78 minutes and then he completed his brace in injury time, rounding the keeper before slotting home.