Lionel Messi scored for the 15th consecutive Primera Division game as Barcelona bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat with a 2-1 victory over Sevilla.

The win at Camp Nou put Barcelona 15 points ahead of Atletico Madrid.

However, it was Sevilla who took the lead through Alberto Botia in the 42nd minute before two goals in eight minutes turned the game on its head.

David Villa equalised before Messi scored his 38th league goal of the season.

Gonzalo Higuain scored an 88th-minute winner as Real Madrid came from a goal down to sneak past a gutsy Deportivo La Coruna side with a 2-1 victory.

The hosts, bottom of the league, took the attack to a weakened Madrid, with Luis Pizzi and Riki causing no amount of problems before Pizzi broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half-time.

Deportivo had several chances to extend their lead but were made to rue some poor finishing when Kaka equalised in the 73rd minute, while Higuain sealed victory for the visitors two minutes from time.

Angel Di Maria was then given his marching orders in the 90th minute after picking up two bookings, but it mattered little to the result.

A Radamel Falcao penalty helped 10-man Atletico Madrid preserve their 100 per cent home record with a 1-0 victory over a resurgent Espanyol yesterday.

The Colombia striker netted his 21st goal of the campaign in the 38th minute only to see his captain Gabi sent off for a second bookable offence on the stroke of half-time to leave Atletico with a man less for the entire second period.

Diego Simeones side stood firm and moved on to 56 points from 25 games in second place, 12 behind Barcelona.

Rayo Vallecanos push for European football next season suffered a blow when they lost 2-1 at home to Real Valladolid to stay seventh with 37 points.