Lionel Messi hit a double last night to take his goals tally for the season to 60 as Barcelona came from behind to beat 10-man Zaragoza 4-1 and move within three points of leaders Real Madrid.
Barca are on a nine-match winning streak which has put the pressure on Real who have a tough April and face third-placed Valencia today.
After that comes the Madrid derby against Atletico and the El Clasico showdown with Barca also to feature.
Relegation-haunted Zaragoza took advantage of a slow start from Barca with Carlos Aranda heading them in front in the 30th minute after earlier missing a penalty.
Carles Puyol brought them back on level terms six minutes later and then Messi hit a double towards the end of either half to continue his prolific run in front of goal which has seen him go one ahead of Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the league with 38.
In injury time Messi set up Pedro Rodriguez for the fourth.
Primera Liga
Espanyol 2 - Real Sociedad 2
Getafe 2 - Sporting Gijon 0
R. Vallecano 6 - Osasuna 0
R. Zaragoza 1 - Barcelona 4