Barcelona proved far too strong for Racing Santander on a night when Thierry Henry was handed a rare start by coach Pep Guardiola.
Despite missing several key players through injury and losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic just before the match, Guardiola's side brushed aside a disappointing Racing outfit with ease, largely on the back of a fine first-half performance.
Andres Iniesta gave the Catalans the lead with his first goal of the season following poor defending by Racing after just seven minutes.
Henry, recalled after being frozen out in recent weeks, scored the second goal from a free-kick with his first of 2010, and Rafael Marquez added a brilliant third with his first of the campaign from another set-piece 11 minutes before half-time.
Youngster Thiago Alcantara then added a fourth with his first career goal in the closing stages.
Two goals in the first seven minutes were enough to give Deportivo La Coruna a first win in four matches, but the Galicians endured some nervy moments as bottom side Xerez threw men forward in search of a late equaliser.
Andres Guardado gave Deportivo the lead from the penalty spot with just three minutes gone after Vicente Moreno had held back Diego Colotto.
And they looked to be well on their way to an easy victory when Riki added a second four minutes later as he blasted an unstoppable drive past Xerez keeper Renan Brito.
But Xerez pulled a goal back seven minutes before the break through Mario Bermejo's header and Deportivo were forced to hold on in the end as the Andalusians gave everything in an attempt to secure a vital point which never materialised.
Sevilla came from behind to have too much for Real Mallorca in what was a bad-tempered affair at ONO Estadi.
The home side took the lead in just the fifth minute when Mario Suarez etched his name on the scoresheet. Sevilla hit back in the 23rd minute through Jesus Navas' strike but were reduced to ten men just moments later when striker Alvaro Negredo saw red for violent conduct.
Their numerical disadvantage lasted only until the stroke of half-time though as Mallorca's Ivan Ramis was dismissed for a professional foul.
After the interval Sevilla took control as goals from Ivica Dragutinovic and substitute Diego Perotti gave them maximum spoils. In the final minute Didier Zokora was handed his second yellow card of the night.
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