Ronaldinho [Images] was in inspirational form as he returned to lead Barcelona to a 5-1 home victory over an unfortunate Real Betis in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

The leaders now have 55 points and remain seven clear of second-placed Real Madrid [Images] who recorded their sixth consecutive league win by sweeping aside lowly Alaves 3-0 at the Bernabeu.

Barca's Brazilian playmaker, who was suspended for the league defeats against Atletico Madrid and Valencia, played a part in Henrik Larsson's opener and triggered Melli's own goal.

Ronaldinho then went on two score two himself from free-kicks but it was not all plain sailing for the home side who had keeper Victor Valdes to thank for a number of crucial saves.

Joaquin pulled a goal back for Betis on the hour but Lionel Messi [Images] came off the bench to make it five with six minutes left.

In a near repeat of the three goals Real Madrid scored in 10 minutes against Real Zaragoza in the King's Cup in midweek, they stormed into an early lead at the Bernabeu.

Guti opened the scoring in the sixth minute and Robinho added a second in the 11th, but they had to wait until the 77th before adding a third through Cicinho.

Real captain Raul came on as a substitute in the second half to a standing ovation after three months out with a knee injury.

Real could slip back to third if Valencia, who have 46 points, beat Real Sociedad away on Sunday.

Below them Javier Saviola scored the only goal as Sevilla beat visitors Celta Vigo 1-0 to climb above them to fifth on 41 points, two ahead of the Galicians.

Villarreal cruised to a 4-0 home win over Espanyol to move up a spot to seventh with 38 points.

UNLUCKY MELLI

Ronaldinho instigated a classic counter-attack after 17 minutes driving forward in midfield and feeding Samuel Eto'o on the right flank, from where the Cameroon striker crossed quickly for Larsson to score at the far post.

A large slice of luck put Barca firmly in control in the 28th when Melli diverted Ronaldinho's through ball into his own net as he tried to prevent Eto'o reaching the pass.

Five minutes later Ronaldinho's free kick came off the wall, hit Melli on the back and rolled into the goal as the Betis defender's wrong-footed keeper stood and watched helplessly.

Home keeper Valdes had to be alert to save well from Dani and Arzu in one-on-one's in the first half as Barca suddenly looked shaky at the back.

In the 58th minute Ronaldinho scored a fourth when his dipping free kick squirmed out of Antonio Doblas's hands and just inside the post.

Joaquin's free kick from 25 metres out surprised Valdes at his near post soon after but Messi made it five near the end as he showed great persistence harrying defenders to break into the area and score off the near post.

• Complete football coverage