Barcelona smashes Malaga and records in Spain

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona extended its unbeaten run to a club-record 28 games on Sunday, strolling to a 4-1 win over Malaga to open up a four-point lead in the Spanish league after second-place Real Madrid drew 1-1 at last-place Almeria.

Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez scored in the first half and Villa added another after the break to set the record in the 111-year history of Barcelona, which had previously gone 27 games unbeaten in the 1973-74 season.

Barcelona has 52 points, a league record for halfway through a season, breaking the mark it set two seasons ago by two points.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola downplayed his team's lead over Madrid.