New Delhi: Barcelona took full advantage of their title rivals' failure this weekend as they moved three points clear of Villarreal at the top of the table with a comfortable victory at Recreativo de Huelva.
Lionel Messi added to his impressive tally and Seydou Keita netted his first goal for the Blaugrana to give them victory in the Nuevo Colombino and record their ninth consecutive league victory.
While Villarreal drew and Real Madrid and Valencia lost, Pep Guardiola's side continued their incredible run of form with a convincing display against a Recre side that spent the majority of the game defending.
The Blaugrana may have improved their push for the championship as they maintained their unbeaten record against their Huelva-based hosts, but Lucas Alcaraz's side have yet to win at home this term.
Recent improvements in Recreativo's form were in evidence as they denied Barca throughout the opening half and looked to catch their opponents on the break, but they were unable to resist in the second period.
Lionel Messi stood out on the right flank as he continued to harry and hassle the home team's rearguard, while Xavi and Sergio Busquets were charged with trying to open the two lines of four that the visitors faced with a creative pass.
Asier Riesgo was also busy between the posts for Recre as he made two superb stops to first deny Messi and then to keep out a low drive from Eto'o, while Busquets curled the ball over from close range.
Despite claiming that this would be the season that he impressed Barca fans and proved that he still has what it takes, Henry had another off-day and spurned a number of good chances to score.
For the hosts, Sisi had to be watched, while Carles Puyol at left-back had to come across to help when Barca were forced to defend against breaks that could have left Víctor Valdés exposed.
Pep Guardiola was in emotional mood on the sidelines as he spent the majority of the game on his feet barking out orders and contorted with either delight or frustration depending on how his players were performing.
It was certainly a look of pleasure six minutes from half-time as a training ground move brought the first goal from the visitors and pleased their coach.
Xavi looked set to take aim from a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but instead slid a pass to the unmarked Messi and he turned before hammering the ball past the hapless Riesgo from close range.
Recre did not just lie down and except it however, and the double substitution soon after they went behind Javier Camuñas hit the post moments after coming on and that was a warning Barca had to heed.
While the Blaugrana were able to relax, the intensity in their play did lessen even though Recreativo were unable to take advantage of that and had to keep tracking back to defend in numbers when they lost possession.
Henry will feel unlucky having hit the woodwork twice before the second goal came and Eto'o should have done better when he slalomed into the area and prodded the ball past the far post.
With five minutes remaining any hope that the hosts had of claiming a point were gone as Henry lifted the ball to the far post from the left and Eto'o's shot was palmed out for Keita to roll home.
There was still time for Bojan Krkic to come on and again rattle the woodwork, but by then Barca had assured themselves of a ninth straight victory and a decisive lead at the top of the table.
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