Barcelona hits Atletico for six

Oct 4, 2008 - 10:55 PM BARCELONA (Ticker) -- Barcelona sent out a signal of intent after beating fellow title contenders Atletico Madrid, 6-1, at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

Despite some good performances at the start of this campaign, Atletico found itself three goals down after just nine minutes as Rafael Marquez (3), Samuel Eto'o with a penalty (6) and Lionel Messi (9) all found the net early on.

Maxi Rodriguez pulled one back for the Rojiblancos after 13 minutes, but the visitors' defense were obviously still in a state of shock as Eto'o restored the three-goal lead five minutes later.

Eidur Gudjohnsson made it five before the half-hour mark, before Thierry Henry completed the rout with a well-worked goal 17 minutes from the end of the second half.

Primera Liga joint leader Villarreal scored twice in three second-half minutes to come from a goal down and secure a fifth consecutive win against Real Betis, 2-1.

The visitors went ahead through Damia after 20 minutes and could have added to their lead in a one-sided first half.

Gonzalo Rodriguez equalized with a header halfway through the second half and Joseba Llorente struck two minutes later to produce a dramatic turnaround.

The win enabled Villarreal to move three points clear of Valencia, which travels to Real Valladolid on Sunday. Betis, meanwhile, remains in the bottom three with just two points from its six matches.