Barcelona's relentless winning run continued as coach Ernesto Valverde enjoyed a successful return to Athletic Bilbao, goals from Lionel Messi and Paulinho securing a 2-0 victory at San Mames on Saturday.

Valverde has now overseen 12 wins and a draw from his first 13 La Liga and Champions League matches as Barca reestablished their four-point lead at the top of the table over Valencia, who beat Alaves 2-1 earlier on Saturday.

The Catalan giants also move eight points clear of rivals Real Madrid, who are in action on Sunday amidst a backdrop of political turmoil as they travel to Catalonia to take on Girona.

For once in recent weeks, Barca were afforded a break from the political spotlight on their trip to the Basque Country with the Estelada flag in favour of Catalan independence scattered among the home fans as well as the travelling support.

Valverde left Bilbao in the summer and his impact has been felt just as much in Bilbao as it has in Barcelona -- Athletic have now one just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

But the hosts started the brighter and only a stunning save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen prevented Aritz Aduriz from slotting Athletic in front on 19 minutes.

Barca, and Messi in particular, grew into the game as the half wore on and the Argentine should have opened the scoring when he hit the woodwork for already the 10th time this season with the goal at his mercy from Luis Suarez's pass.

Messi was at the heart of another flowing team move to break the deadlock eight minutes before half-time. He exchanged one-twos with Paulinho and Jordi Alba before sweeping home the left-back's low cross.

Raul Garcia's header also hit the woodwork, while Ter Stegen produced another stunning stop from Aduriz five minutes from time.

Barca even resorted to wasting time in the final quarter, but held out to record a ninth clean sheet in their last 13 games.

And they added a second deep into stoppage time when Paulinho tapped home the rebound after Kepa Arrizabalaga had parried Suarez's first effort.

- Valencia victorious -

After two seasons in the doldrums, Valencia's stunning revival under Marcelino Garcia Toral continued as they remain Barca's closest challengers with victory in Vitoria.

Simone Zaza blasted Valencia into the lead 10 minutes before half-time from Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira's cut-back for his ninth goal of the season.

Alaves levelled through Alexis's header early in the second period, but Rodrigo's penalty after Rodrigo Ely handled a cross inside his own box gifted the visitors all three points.

"It has completely changed, not just our level of play but also our mentality," Zaza said of Valencia's upturn in form since Marcelino took charge in June.

"The coach has helped a lot in that. Now we are competitive and can compete against anyone.

"We are second and we have to enjoy it. We don't know how far we can go, but we have a lot of ambition."

- Atletico lose ground -

Atletico Madrid remain fourth, level on 20 points with Real Madrid, but their stumbling season continued as they were held 1-1 at home by Villarreal for their fifth draw in 10 Liga games.

Diego Simeone's men's problem has largely been finding the net but they went in front just after the hour mark in spectacular fashion as Angel Correa cushioned Antoine Griezmann's volleyed pass into his path before slotting home at the near post.

However, in another recurring theme of Atletico's season, they sat far too deep in trying to defend their lead and were punished nine minutes from time when Carlos Bacca flicked home a header from a corner.

"If the team continues with that aggression and intensity, better times will come," insisted a defiant Simeone, whose side face a must-win Champions League clash against Qarabag of Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

source: AFP