Barcelona 4 - 0 Villarreal

Barcelona 4-0 Villarreal

Updated: November 25, 2006, 9:48 PM UK

BARCELONA, November 25 (Primera Liga) - Ronaldinho was again the star as Barcelona ran out decisive winners against Villarreal at the Nou Camp on Sunday to stay at the top of the Primera Liga.

The Brazilian scored a first-half penalty and following second-half strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Andres Iniesta, Ronaldinho put the icing on the cake with a stunning overhead kick in the final minute as the Catalan side outclassed their visitors.

French defender Lilian Thuram came in for the injured Rafael Marquez and Brazilian midfielder Edmilson replaced his compatriot Thiago Motta in an otherwise unchanged Barcelona line-up from the one which defeated Levski Sofia 2-0 in the penultimate Champions League group match on Wednesday.

With Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola all still missing up front through injury, coach Frank Rijkaard kept faith in his attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen and Ludovic Giuly.

This combination had little impact early on as Barcelona struggled to find any rhythm in midfield.

Deco created the first real opening in the 10th minute, but Villarreal goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa raced out to gather the ball just before the Portuguese midfielder could get a shot in.

Ten minutes later, Deco shot from distance, but Barbosa saved comfortably.

Ronaldinho then headed inches wide from a corner and went close again with a mesmerising run and shot which left several defenders in his wake.

The Brazilian was getting closer and it was no surprise when he opened the scoring after 34 minutes.

Gudjohnsen went down in a heap following Pascal Cygan's seemingly harmless challenge and Ronaldinho stepped to fire home the resulting penalty, his 50th League goal for Barcelona.

The Brazilian was then set up by Giuly but could only send his shot straight at Barbosa as Barcelona threatened to double their lead.

They almost did so on the stroke of half-time when Barbosa fumbled and the ball fell straight to Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.

However, the Uruguayan goalkeeper redeemed himself with a stunning save from the Dutchman's header and Barcelona had to settle for a one goal advantage at the break.

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini made changes at the interval, sending on Mexican striker Guillermo Franco in place of Jose Mari and Italian midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi for Josico.

But the pattern of the game remained the same and after Deco went close with an exquisite chip, Gudjohnsen put the Catalans two up after 59 minutes.

Ronaldinho's shot hit Franco in the face and after Giuly climbed highest to win the rebound, Iniesta centred for the Icelandic striker to calmly slot the ball past Barbosa.

Barcelona were now in total control and added a deserved third goal.

This time Iniesta changed from provider to predator, finishing off a Deco cross with a fabulous scissor kick and thereby making up for missing a much simpler chance just minutes before.

Villarreal then twice went close at the other end through Franco and Marcos Senna, but Ronaldinho had the last say with a breathtaking overhead kick in the final minute.

The Brazilian controlled Xavi's pinpoint cross with his chest, before unleashing a quite wonderful overhead kick which gave Barbosa no chance and sent the Nou Camp into raptures.

The home fans roared with approval and the Brazilian left the field to a thoroughly deserved standing ovation.

The 4-0 win, perhaps Barcelona's best performance of the season, keeps the Catalans top of the table with 29 points from 12 matches.

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