Barcelona thump Real Madrid 5-0 in key clasico clash

REUTERS - David Villa struck twice to lead Barcelona to a 5-0 rout of Real Madrid on Monday with a scintillating performance which put the champions two points clear of their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.

In a festival atmosphere at Barca's Nou Camp stadium, the home players entertained their fans with a breathtaking display of free-flowing football that left Real's array of expensive talent chasing the ball for long periods.

Xavi and Pedro struck early to put Barca 2-0 up at the break before Villa scored in the 55th and 58th minutes to raise the noise levels to a deafening pitch and substitute Jeffren completed the rout in stoppage time. Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was sent off just before the end.

Barca were stroking the ball around for fun by the end and their biggest win in the "Clasico" since they thumped Real 6-2 at the Bernabeu in their treble-winning 2008-09 season put a severe dent in Real's resurgence under new coach Jose Mourinho.

Barca have 34 points from 13 matches, with Real, who were unbeaten in all competitions before Monday, on 32 and Villarreal in third on 27.