Barcelona broke a 27-year-old Spanish record by going 35 games unbeaten in all competitions with a 5-1 thrashing of nine-man Rayo Vallecano.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick – his 35th – as the hosts fell apart after Ivan Rakitic’s opener.Naijabet
Diego Llorente and Manuel Iturra were both dismissed for Rayo, whose only goal was scored by Manucho.
Luis Suarez also had a penalty saved before Arda Turan completed the rout to move Barcelona eight points clear.
Suarez’s miss from the spot means Barcelona have failed to convert half of their 18 penalties this season.
Messi has scored 33 goals this season and now has as many hat-tricks as Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I’m pleased with how the season has progressed,” said Enrique.
“There is attitude, intensity and finishing. When Barca manages to be like that, you create danger from the first minute and it’s hard to stop them.”
The win means the Blaugrana remain eight clear of Atletico at the top of the table and 12 ahead of Real Madrid. Those two teams are the only other champions of Spain since 2008-09 with a title apiece: Real in 2011-12 and Atleti in 2013-14. But the trophy will almost certainly not be returning to the capital in May and Barca’s dominance could continue for some time on this evidence.
