Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates scoring during the Spanish league football match opposing Valencia and Barcelona at Mestalla stadium in Valencia. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Leo Messi scored a 77th minute goal as Barcelona won 1-0 away to Valencia to move 10 points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table.

The goal gave Barca the points in a fast and physical game, which was decided by a moment of skill. The win should also give Barca a huge morale boost as Valencia was considered as one of the grounds where they could drop points.

As things stand the Catalans have only dropped two points away from home all season.

The fourth placed Villarreal defeated Hercules in the El Madrigal Stadium as Giuseppe Rossi scored the only goal of the game after 21 minutes. The result keeps Villarreal in the top four, while Hercules slip to the fourth from bottom of the table.

Rossi scored his 13th league goal of the season after breaking the offside trap thanks to a pass from Ruben Garcia "Cani".

Getafe and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 in their Madrid derby in a result that edges both sides closed to Europe.

Manu del Moral's third minute goal looked to have given Getafe the points, but Elias Mendes' first goal for his club nine minutes from time assured a share of the points.

Zaragoza came back from behind to claim a 2-1 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao. Fernando Llorente's fifteenth goal of the season put Athletic ahead after 18 minutes, but goals from Jiri Jarosik and Ikchuwku Uche in a five minute spell at the start of the second half turned the game around and lift Zaragoza out of the bottom three.

Real Sociedad and Levante drew 1-1 in another good result for the visiting side as they continue to climb away from the relegation zone.

David Zurutuza scored early in the second half for the home side, before defender Asier del Horno equalized with a powerful left foot shot 13 minutes from time.

Finally Osasuna and Deportivo la Coruna produced a 0-0 draw which helps neither side in their battle to avoid relegation.

Tuesday's games saw Sevilla beat Sporting Gijon 3-0 while Mallorca won 2-1 away to Espanyol.