Celta Vigo 0-3 Barcelona

Alexis Sanchez of Barcelona celebrates scoring their opening goal against Celta Vigo

Cesc Fabregas inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo to open up a four-point lead in La Liga.

Alexis Sanchez continued his fine scoring form when he tapped in the opener after nine minutes.

Barcelona went 2-0 up early in the second half when Fabregas's drive rebounded off goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez and into the net.

Fabregas completed the scoring with a clinical finish in the 54th minute.

Sanchez scored his sixth goal of the season to get the visitors up and running.

Fabregas was played through on goal by Pedro and, after his shot was beaten away by Yoel, Sanchez tapped in the rebound.

The visitors then went close on the break as Lionel Messi's shot flew across goal.

But Celta improved significantly as the half progressed and on-loan midfielder Rafinha Alcantara was inches away from equalising against his parent club in the 28th minute with a driven effort just wide.

Barca doubled their advantage in the 48th minute when Fabregas's effort from 25 yards hit the bar and rebounded into the net off Yoel in the Celta goal.

It was 3-0 six minutes later as Messi again fed Fabregas, who drilled the ball low past Yoel at his near post.

Elsewhere, Malaga ended their three-game losing streak with a 0-0 draw at Espanyol.

Malaga twice went close in a five-minute spell just before half-time when Roque Santa Cruz hit the crossbar and Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla pushed Eliseu Pereira's shot on to the post.

Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia missed a chance to snatch the win in the 86th minute as Malaga keeper Willy Caballero produced a reflex save to parry a close-range effort.