Barcelona's Ronaldinho celebrates his second goal against Sevilla during their Spanish First Division football match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, Sunday. - reuters

madrid spain (reuters)

Barcelona moved three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga on Sunday after a Ronaldinho double and virtuoso solo goal from Lionel Messi earned a 3-1 home win against high-flying Sevilla.

Ronaldinho had come in for criticism for failing to pull his weight so far this season, but the twice World Player of the Year sparked into life with a coolly taken penalty and a classy free kick to put his side 2-1 up at the end of the first half.

Argentine teenager Messi made sure of the win with a brilliant individual goal 10 minutes from time ahead of a big week for the Catalans in which they play Chelsea in the Champions League and then meet arch rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Barca, who are the only unbeaten side in the division, lead the table with 16 points from six games, three clear of Valencia and Atlético Madrid.

Madrid slip up

Valencia slipped to their first defeat of the season when they lost 3-2 at Celta Vigo, while Atlético snatched a 2-1 victory at home to Recreativo Huelva on Saturday when striker Sergio Aguero helped the ball into the net with his hand.

Sevilla are in fourth spot on 12 points, one ahead of Real Madrid who lost their unbeaten run when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday. Barca were crushed 3-0 by UEFA Cup winners Sevilla in the European Super Cup in Monaco at the start of the season, but they gained their revenge in another high-quality encounter at the Nou Camp.

Sevilla were unlucky to have a goal ruled out midway through the first half when defender Julien Escude was adjudged to have fouled Thiago Motta as he rose to head in a corner at the far post.

Insult was added to injury when Escude conceded a penalty less than two minutes later when he brought down fullback Juliano Belletti as the Brazilian burst into the area.

Ronaldinho sent keeper Andres Palop the wrong way with his spot kick.