Messi’s 51st Hat-trick Fires Barca 10-Points Clear

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona avenged their defeat by Real Betis earlier in the season to move 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.

His first was a 20 yard free kick before he converted Luis Suarez’s back heel pass with a toe-poked strike.

The pick of the bunch was a clipped finish that went in off the bar.

Suarez scored a fine individual effort while Loren Moron grabbed Betis’ only goal with a superb finish.

This ranks as one of Messi’s finest out of his 33 hat-tricks in La Liga.

Barcelona now have 66 points from 28 games.

They are 10 ahead of Atletico Madrid with Real Madrid third with 54 points