Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday after a Ronaldinho [Images] double and virtuoso solo goal from Lionel Messi [Images] earned a 3-1 home win against high-flying Sevilla.

Ronaldinho had come in for criticism for failing to pull his weight so far this season, but the twice World Player of the Year sparked into life with a coolly taken penalty and a classy free kick to put his side 2-1 up at the end of the first half.

Argentine teenager Messi made sure of the win with a brilliant individual goal 10 minutes from time ahead of a big week for the Catalans in which they play Chelsea in the Champions League and then meet arch-rivals Real Madrid [Images] at the Bernabeu.

Barca, who are the only unbeaten side in the division, lead the table with 16 points from six games, three clear of Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

Valencia slipped to their first defeat of the season when they lost 3-2 at Celta Vigo, while Atletico snatched a 2-1 victory at home to Recreativo Huelva on Saturday when striker Sergio Aguero helped the ball into the net with his hand.

Sevilla are in fourth spot with on 12 points, one ahead of Real Madrid who lost their unbeaten when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

Barca were crushed 3-0 by UEFA [Images] Cup winners Sevilla in the European Super Cup in Monaco at the start of the season, but they gained their revenge in another high-quality encounter at the Nou Camp.

Sevilla were unlucky to have a goal ruled out midway through the first half when defender Julien Escude was adjudged to have fouled Thiago Motta as he rose to head in a corner at the far post.

PENALTY

Insult was added to injury when Escude conceded a penalty less than two minutes later when he brought down fullback Juliano Belletti as the Brazilian burst into the area.

Ronaldinho sent keeper Andres Palop the wrong way with his spot kick.

Sevilla responded well and piled the pressure on Barca, Mali striker Frederic Kanoute taking his tally for the season to five when he headed in at the far post from Daniel Alves's cross.

But Barca restored their lead just over a minute later when Ronaldinho curled a free kick over the wall and into the corner from the edge of the area.

Sevilla never allowed the home side to relax and it took a marvellous goal from Messi to ensure victory. He picked up a neat pass from Xavi, jinked past two defenders and fired low past keeper Andres Palop 10 minutes from time.

At the other end of the table, Athletic Bilbao and Racing Santander notched up their first victories of the season. Bilbao edged a 3-2 win at Gimnastic Tarragona, while Racing clinched a 1-0 victory at Osasuna.

Real Sociedad are the only team who have yet to win a game after surrendering an early lead to lose 3-1 at home to Real Zaragoza.

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