Barca return to top of La Liga with Messi's great form

ANKARA

La Liga leaders Barcelona returned to the top of the table at the end of Week 25 after hammering Eibar 5-0 at home on Saturday.

Argentina star Lionel Messi made an impressive performance by scoring four goals to lead his team's fourth consecutive win in La Liga.

Brazilian midfielder Arthur was another of Barcelona's scorers.

Opposing title contenders Real Madrid lost to Levante 1-0 on Saturday as they suffered their first league defeat since October.

Jose Luis Morales Nogales's goal brought victory to his team at home.

Real Madrid had 53 points, two points behind the leaders Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid jumped to third place after beating Villarreal 3-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday.

Sevilla had a comfortable win, defeating Getafe 3-0 in Sunday's away match as they sit in the fourth place.

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla each collected 43 points.

Week 25 results in La Liga:

Real Betis - Mallorca: 3-3

Celta Vigo - Leganes: 1-0

Barcelona - Eibar: 5-0

Real Sociedad - Valencia: 3-0

Levante - Real Madrid: 1-0

Osasuna - Granada: 0-3

Deportivo - Athletic Bilbao: 2-1

Real Valladolid - Espanyol: 2-1

Getafe - Sevilla: 0-3

Atletico Madrid - Villarreal: 3-1