Madrid - Barcelona went six points clear at the top of the Spanish Liga on Saturday by thrashing hapless Valencia 4-0.

Barca now have 35 points from 14 games, six points more than Villarreal, who did well to force a 3-3 draw against Getafe earlier on Saturday.

With Samuel Eto'o suspended, Thierry Henry took centre stage, banging in a handsome hat-trick and looking more comfortable than ever in a Barca shirt.

The French veteran made it 1-0 in the 20th minute by latching on to a classy through-ball from Yaya Toure and scoring with the outside of his right foot.

Eight minutes later, with the Valencia defence looking shaky, Henry made it 2-0 by turning in a short pass from Alexander Hleb.

Madrid  - Villarreal came from 3-0 down to force a dramatic 3-3 draw against Getafe on Saturday, and thus retain second place in La Liga.

Getafe had coasted into a 3-0 lead within 30 minutes, thanks to early goals from Esteban Granero, Jaime Gavilan and Francisco Casquero.

But Villarreal were a transformed team in the second half, faster and more imaginative. Robet Pires pulled a goal back in the 56th minute, Sebastian Eguren made it 3-2 with just eight minutes left.

With Getafe against the ropes, Guiseppe Rossi made it 3-3 in the 86th minute - then almost won the game for the "Yellow Submarine" in injury time.

Madrid  - The Spanish government Friday denied allegations that the United States had illegally flown terrorist suspects via Spain to its military base in Guantanamo, Cuba.

"There has not been nor will there be violations of human rights on earth, sea or air" under the current Socialist government, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said.

The conservative opposition earlier claimed that nine out of 11 flights organized by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) took place under current Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who took office in 2004.