Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Liga leaders Barcelona's trip to Rayo Vallecano in the suburbs of Madrid, kicking off at 9pm UK time.

Thanks for joining me tonight for that match - I'll be back on Premier League duty tomorrow, so any chat about the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, or Chelsea v Manchester United, hit me up on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport. See you then.

No more as the ref puts poor Rayo out of their misery. To think they still had a shot at 78 minutes.

Barca hunting for more - they got seven last season in this tie. Surely not today.

Two minutes added time as Sanchez should have got a sixth only to shoot straight at the flying keeper Ruben.

Messi is the first player in over a decade to score this many at this stage of the season, 13 in 9. The last? Salva in 2000, remember him?

GOAL BARCA! 5-0. Messi makes it five. Obviously. Rayo all at sea as the Argentine has the freedom of the right and, as is customary, he scores more than just the one.

Messi on the right first almost finds Pedro, then drills a shot from a tight angle on the rebound. Ruben is wise to it.

This scoreline is quite important in that it means Atletico must beat Osasuna by six to go top. Unlikely, but not impossible with the firepower they've got!

This is Dos Santos's first appearance this season.

BARCA SUB: Dos Santos replaces Xavi.

BARCA SUB: Bartra on for Alba. And why not?

The floodgates have opened - Cesc makes it four with a flying half-volley from Pedro's cross. Casual. Rayo really have given up now.

Poor Rayo, they've done well today but Barca have too much class. Barca stay top unless Atletico put six past Osasuna.

GOAL BARCA! That miss is punished as Alba skips away from Tito after a throw, cutting it back for Xavi who slides home a cool finish. 3-0, game over.

ALMOST A GOAL FOR RAYO! Rodri misses from close range as he flies in to meet the loose ball after Barca fail to clear their lines! Deary me!

Song with a foul on Bille as Rayo show a bit of pluck despite being two goals down.

Dominguez gets forward for Rayo but he blasts a rising drive well over.

RAYO SUB: Vazquez on for Baptistao.

Cesc releases Messi on the right, super cross and SANCHEZ SURELY but a wonderful save from Ruben! Ah, the Chilean was offside. Still a super stop.

Messi sends the free-kick top left but Ruben claws it away in style for the cameras.