Barcelona 4-1 Real Betis while Messi suffer leg injury

Thanks to goals by Neymar, Pedro and a Cesc Fabregas double, Barcelona increased their lead at the top overcoming Real Betis and capitalize on a stumble by title rival Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

               

Messi limped off with a leg injury when the game was goalless before Neymar side footed Barca ahead after a low Cesc Fabregas cross.

Pedro's curling shot made it 2-0 before Fabregas finished off a fine team move.

Fabregas headed his side's fourth before Jorge Molina scored for Betis from the penalty spot.

It was too easy for the La Liga champions at times as bottom of the table Betis contributed to their own downfall with some poor defending.

"We started without any intensity and they were rolling over us for the first 20-25 minutes," Fabregas said. "But then we had a good 20 minutes before dominating in the second half."

Fabregas, who has started nine of Barca's 13 league matches and appeared particularly put out at not being chosen to start Wednesday's Champions League win over AC Milan, made it clear he wants to prove his worth to coach Gerard Martino.

"I know the starting 11 that my coach has in his head and that I am not in it," Fabregas said. "I will work as much as I can to erase any doubts."

Barcelona said Messi and Fabregas would undergo tests on Monday to determine the extent of their injuries.