Barca back on top but Messi injured

MADRID - FC Barcelona returned to the top of the Liga Santander on following the ninth round of matches in Spain thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Sevilla but paid a heavy price when Leo Messi suffered a fracture to the radial bone of his right arm which could sideline him for three weeks.

Sevilla travelled to the Camp Nou as league leaders, but quickly found themselves 2-0 down after Messi set up Phillipe Coutinho before doubling the lead himself.

That goal after just 13 minutes was one of his last actions of the game as he fell badly breaking his elbow, but a week before next weekend's 'Clasico' against Real Madrid.

Luis Suarez made it 3-0 to Barca from the penalty spot shortly after the hour and although Pablo Sarabia threw Sevilla slim lifeline 11 minutes from time, Ivan Rakitic netted against his former club to put Barca 4-1 in front, before Luis Muriel netted in injury time to establish the definitive 4-2 in the score-line.

Two goals from Espanyol striker Borja Iglesias took Barca's city neighbors, Espanyol into second place in the table. Borja scored a goal in each half in Espanyol's 2-0 win away to Huesca, whose new coach Francisco debuted with a defeat after replacing Leo Franco during the international break.

Julen Lopetegui's future as Real Madrid coach is very much in doubt after his side continued their dreadful run of form with a 2-1 defeat at home to Levante.

Marcelo's 72nd minute goal ended 481 minutes without a goal for Madrid, but was not enough to save after a point after they had gone 2-0 down in just 13 minutes following a solo goal from Jose Luis Morales and a Roger Marti penalty.

Madrid had two goals ruled out for offside and hit the woodwork on three occasions, but the press are openly speculating whether Lopetegui will still be in charge for next week's visit to face Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid failed to take full advantage of their neighbors' slip up as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to Villarreal, who they have failed to beat in seven meetings.

Felipe Luis' header opened the scoring for Atletico in the 51st minute, but Villarreal right back Mario Gaspar equalized with 25 minutes remaining and Atletico had goalkeeper Jan Oblak to thank for saving a point with a string of inspired saves to save a point.

Valencia remain without a home win this season after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leganes.

Gerard Gumbau put Leganes ahead with a 65th minute penalty, but Jose Gaya's deflected shot saved a point for the home side with five minutes left to play.

Valladolid made it four wins in their last 4 games thanks to Antonito's 38th minute goal which gave the recently promoted team a 1-0 win away to Betis to lift them up to an impressive sixth place in the table.

Eibar and Athletic Club Bilbao drew their derby 1-1 with both goals coming in a four minute spell in the first half as Charles scored a controversial penalty for Eibar and Inaki Williams equalized for Athletic.

Meanwhile Getafe claimed a 2-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano, whose fans nevertheless paid homage to coach Michel after the final whistle to thank him for leading them to promotion last season.

Friday night saw Alaves win 1-0 away to Celta Vigo with Tomas Pina's late goal and the side from Vitoria are currently third in the table with just one point less than Barca.