Football Club Barcelona sealed their sixth win in a row with a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid this afternoon with goals from Deco, Messi and Xavi. Ronaldinho started a game at Camp Nou for the first time since his injury and the crowd showed their support for the Brazilan when he was substituted ten minutes from the end.

Atletico had won their last five games and started the game well, causing problems down both flanks. After nine minutes they created the first chance when left back Pernia broke into the area only for Leo Messi to intercept with a good tackle befoe Pernia could shoot.

Barça took the lead after fifteen minutes. Deco played a long ball towards the corner flag for Messi to chase, the Argentinian kept the ball in, cut inside one defender and sent in a low cross which Abbiati, substituting the injured Leo Franco, failed to hold and Deco was on hand to slot the ball into the net.

Three minutes later a great pass from Messi put Thierry Henry through on goal but his shot from an angle went wide of the far post. Then in the 20th minute Messi received the ball from Henry, played a neat one-two with Ronaldinho, before unleashing a cracking low shot into the far corner that gave Abbiati no chance.

With a two-goal lead Barça dominated the rest of the first half. In the ten minutes before the break Ronaldinho, Messi and Deco all had chances to put the game beyond doubt but poor finishing let them down.

Barça began the second half as they had finished the first. In the 46th minute a good build up from Messi and Deco gave Henry a chance but his attempt to curl one in went well wide. Then Messi laid the ball back to Deco whose shot from 20 yards went just over. In the 51st minute Deco crossed to Henry who knocked the ball back at the far post for Milito but his attempt went straight at Abbiati.

Atletico came back into the game for ten minutes after the hour. Agüero had a penalty appeal turned down when he went down under pressure from Puyol. Then long shots from Seitaridis and Maxi Rodriguez were both saved by Valdés. On 67 minutes Simoa broke into the area but his lob over Valdés went just over.

Barça regained control for the last 20 minutes. A shot from Deco was saved by Abbiati and Henry just missed out on the rebound. A minute later Henry had a shot saved after a cross from Oleguer, and then a magnificent volley from 25 yards by Xavi forced another good save from Abbiati.

Giovani and Bojan came on near the end for Ronaldinho and Henry who both received ovations from the crowd. Messi hit the post five minutes from the end after Deco put him through against the keeper. The victory was sealed  in the 90th minute after Deco sent a pass through to Giovani on the left side of the penalty area, the Mexican squared across the goal and Xavi had a simple tap in from five yards out.

Barça are looking very good at the moment, Messi was excellent again, especially in the first half, and Puyol and Milito looked very good at the back giving Agüero and Forlan very few chances to get into the game. The only disappointment was an inopportune performance from Oleguer at right back. Atletico showed promise in short bursts and probably didn’t deserve to lose by three goals. Barça now move into second place in the league after defeats for Valencia and Villarreal, Real Madrid remain two points clear at the top after beating Recreativo 2-0.

Barça: Valdés 7; Oleguer 5, Puyol 7.5, Milito 7, Abidal 6; Xavi 7, Iniesta 7, Deco 7.5; Messi 8, Henry 6 (Bojan, m85, –), Ronaldinho 7 (Giovani, m80, 6.5).

Atletico: Abbiati; Seitaridis, Pablo, Ze Castro (Fabiano Eller, m45), Pernia; Maniche, Raúl García, Reyes (Maxi Rodríguez, m55), Simao; Forlán, Agüero (Luis García, m62).

Yellow Cards:  Pernía (m14); Deco (m60); Raúl García (m72); Pablo (m74); Seitaridis (m79)

Goals: 1-0, Deco (m16); 2-0, Messi (m20); 3-0, Xavi (m90). 

To see the highlights go to - http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/goles/es/desarrollo/1043789.html