Lionel Messi struck a late winner to help Barcelona overcome battling Malaga 2-1 and keep their place at the top of the standings.

Barça had temporarily been knocked off the summit following Real Madrid's 5-1 win over Tenerife earlier in the evening, but the champions reclaimed pole position after making it 11 wins from 12 league games at the Camp Nou this season.

Pep Guardiola's side, who have struggled for top form in recent weeks, had to bide their time to break down Malaga, despite dominating most of the match.

Pedro Rodriguez was the man to end the deadlock in the 69th minute, but Messi was the match-winner with his 84th-minute tap-in coming after Malaga had shocked their hosts by drawing level through substitute Valmiro Valdo.

Higuain hurts Tenerife
Gonzalo Higuain was the star of the show as Real Madrid recorded a tougher sixth successive league win than the 5-1 scoreline suggests. Higuain struck Madrid's opening two goals and, after Tenerife pulled a goal back through Ayoze Garcia just after half-time, he then set up Kaka to make it 3-1.

Cristiano Ronaldo, from the penalty spot, and substitute Raul added further goals in the final ten minutes.

Opportunistic Suazo grabs brace
Humberto Suazo took advantage of some more poor Getafe defending to help relegation-threatened Real Zaragoza claim only their second away win of the season.

Suazo struck twice in the opening 19 minutes, the first following a dismal back-pass from David Cortes and the second after slack marking allowed him to head home Gabi's free-kick unchallenged right in front of goal.

Zaragoza also hit the woodwork late on through Javier Arizmendi as they clinched a deserved, and much-welcomed, three-point haul.