Barcelona won another vital three points in La Liga courtesy of starlet Pedro Rodriguez, who netted a cool finish to ensure Barcelona conquered Sporting Gijon by a goal to nil.

Lionel Messi was at his usual scintillating level, but the only thing missing today was his finishing touch. His dribbles caused all sorts of problems to the Sporting defense all game, but Messi failed to get on the scoresheet.

The breakthrough for the visitors came on the half hour mark. Iniesta picked up the ball in the center of the pitch and delivered a splitting pass through the Sporting Gijon defense. Pedro Rodriguez, this season's new Barcelona starlet, raced onto the pass and curled a shot around the goalkeeper as the ball hit the back of the net.

Lionel Messi spoke to Sport.es after Saturday's game against Valladolid, which Barcelona comfortably won 3-0.

A delighted Messi said, "Winning was more important than me scoring a goal."

"It is always a difficult ground to play in, and now we have three more points ahead of Real Madrid's match. We played a good game in the end, even though we struggled early on.

"This result will allow us to be calm in the future."

Barcelona's next game will be away at Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Barcelona won away from home against Valladolid by three goals to nil re-affirming their grip on this season's La Liga campaign.

Goals came from Xavi Hernandez, Dani Alves and unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi, in an inspired victory.

Valladolid started the game impressively and imposed themselves on the Barcelona rearguard. They were unlucky not to have found the net in the opening 20 minutes. The tide turned when they conceded the first goal. A typically efficient Barcelona break led by Dani Alves, who crossed the ball delightfully was finished to aplomb by Xavi, volleying the ball from 10 yards out. It was Barcelona at their best.

Barcelona doubled their lead just a minute later. A beautiful flick by Messi set Dani Alves running down the wing. Dani unleashed what appeared to be a cross but ended up flying into the top of the net.

The second half was more relaxed for the Blaugrana, but it didn't stop Messi from making his mark on the game. A lovely through ball found Ibrahimovic in acres of space. He waited patiently for Messi's arrival and delivered a perfect pass for Messi to lash the ball into the roof of the net. The goal meant Messi extended his lead in the scoring charts as the leading scorer in La Liga.

Barcelona strolled to victory by four goals to nil in their second game this week against Sevilla.

From the very outset, it was clear that the Catalan side had a point to prove after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Sevilla on Wednesday, despite their away victory on the night.

Barcelona asserted themselves well at the start, and despite good pressure, went into the half time break level with no goals scored.

In the 49th minute, the break through was made. Good work on the wing by Marquez and then Pique led to defender Julien Escude stabbing the ball into his own goal.

On the 70 minute mark, Pedro, Barcelona's new sensation, scored with a fine lob to put the home side up by two goals.

Lionel Messi truly made his mark in the final 5 minutes. First, a cross was missed by everyone and fell to the feet of Messi who controlled the ball with precision and unleashed an easy side footed shot into the corner. It was Messi's 100th goal in a Barcelona shirt and also the goal that made him the top scorer in this year's La Liga with 13 goals.

Messi doubled his tally and scored Barcelona's fourth in extra time. Some good work from Abidal led to some sublime control my Messi who raced clear on goal and beat the advancing Palop with relative ease.