Barca were 3-0 up after just 17 minutes thanks to goals from Jordi Alba, Christian Tello and Leo Messi gave Tito Vilanova's side a comfortable early lead.

Pizzi pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after a dreadful refereeing decision after Riki took a dive outside of the Barca penalty area and Bergantinos brought Deportivo right back into things with a low shot that Barca keeper Victor Valdes failed to deal with after 37 minutes, before Leo Messi scored his second of the night to make it 4-2 two minutes from the break after a fine Cesc Fabrigas pass.

Pizzi made it 4-3 with a free kick three minutes into the second half and Barca then found themselves down to 10 men as Riki exaggerated and accidental contact with Javier Mascherano to earn the defender a second booking.

Messi then hit the bar, before Vilanova brought on Xavi Hernandez, Adriano and Pedro Rodriguez in an attempt to control the chaotic game better and was rewarded when Messi scored his hat-trick with a fine solo goal.

Again Barca's 2-goal lead was short lived as Alba scored a bizarre own goal with 11 minutes remaining to make it 5-4.

Deportivo hurled everything forward but Barca were able to hold on, although it is clear they will have to improve in defense if they want to remain top of the table for long.

Real Madrid in comparison enjoyed a relatively comfortable home win 2-0 at home to recently promoted Celta Vigo.

Celta were far from overrun by a sluggish Madrid side in which Kaka disappointed again, but did little to trouble a team missing its three specialist full backs.

Gonzalo Higuain scored a deflected shot 12 minutes into the first half and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty after a questionable decision by referee Clos Gomez 22 minutes from time sealed the win for Jose Mourinho's side, who are still eight points behind Barca.

Malaga remain in third place after coming from behind to defeat Valladolid 2-1. Manucho put Valladolid ahead after nine minutes with a smart shot on the turn and a well-organized display by the visitors frustrated Malaga until the 38th minute when Izco equalized following a flowing attacking move.

Manucho was sent off for a second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining and Joaquin Sanchez missed a penalty for Malaga with five minutes remaining. However, he then made amends by scoring the winning goal from close range two minutes later as the Valladolid defense suffered a major loss of concentration.

Two late goals gave Valencia what had looked an unlikely 3-2 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao. Two goals from Aritz Aduriz, against the club that had sold him this summer had put Athletic 2-1 up, but following Ander Herrera's 70th minute sending off, and 88th and 90th minute goal from Tino Costa and Nelson Valdez gave the home side a dramatic three points.