MADRID: Pedro and David Villa scored two apiece as Barcelona swept to a 5-1 victory away to city rival Espanyol Saturday, securing its place at the top of La Liga heading into the New Year. Pedro opened the scoring after 19 minutes and made it 3-0 early in the second half after Xavi had netted Barca's second. Espanyol's Pablo Osvaldo had briefly threatened something of a comeback making it 3-1 in the 63rd, when he became the first player to beat Victor Valdes in seven games, but Villa snuffed out their challenge with two breakaway goals towards the end. The champion has now won 10 games in a row in all competitions and has 43 points from 16 games in La Liga. Earlier, a superb finish from striker Nilmar topped off a 3-1 win for Villarreal at home to Real Mallorca that secured them third place going into the winter break with 33 points. The Brazilian raced through onto Borja Valero's pass in the 51st minute and, under pressure, lobbed visiting goalkeeper Dudu Aouate to score his 10th goal of the season. Villarreal's neat possession football is reminiscent of Pep Guardiola's Barca side and one such passage of play ended with Santi Cazorla volleying home in the 11th minute. Jonathan de Guzman equalised against the run of play with a spectacular shot in the 28th minute, but it was a rare sight of goal for the visitors and Italy's Giuseppe Rossi restored Villarreal's advantage from the penalty spot in the 35th. In other games, Athletic Bilbao climbed to sixth on 25 points after a 2-1 away at Levante and Deportivo Coruna drew 1-1 at home with Sporting Gijon. West Ham stays bottom As snowstorms wiped out most English Premier League matches Saturday, West Ham drew at Blackburn to remain frozen to the bottom of the standings and Sunderland's push for Europe heated up with a victory over Bolton. Junior Stanislas salvaged a 1-1 draw for West Ham by canceling out Ryan Nelsen's scrappy goal for Blackburn, but the point will do little to secure the future of either teams' managers. Avram Grant's West Ham remains stranded three points from safety having played a game fewer than its relegation rivals. At the top of the table, Sunderland leapfrogged Bolton into sixth place after Danny Welbeck header's clinched a 1-0 win. They were the only two matches Saturday to go ahead after a blast of heavy snow hit England. Arsenal's home match against Stoke and Liverpool's meeting with Fulham were among the four matches to be called off Saturday. All three Sunday fixtures, including Chelsea's showcase meeting with Manchester United, have also been postponed.
