FC Barcelona's lead at the top of the La Liga table was reduced to five over Real Madrid after they drew 1-1 in Sevilla.

Bojan Krkic and Jesus Navas both scored in a magnificent game and either side could have won in a thrilling second half.

Barca kicked off knowing they needed a win to retain their seven point lead over Real Madrid and Leo Messi had the ball in the back of the Sevilla net after just seven minutes only for referee Perez Lasa to rule his free kick out for a supposed foul from Sergio Busquets.

Pep Guardiola's side were in total control, but Sevilla had a decent penalty claim turned down when Dani Alves appeared to club Didier Zokora's heels as they both went for a cross just before the half hour.

Bojan Krkic, who had replaced the injured Pedro Rodriguez after 13 minutes, scored for Barcelona after 30 minutes. The young striker only had to tap home after Andres Iniesta had set up Alves who crossed for Bojan to slide the ball into an empty net.

David Villa fired over and Messi hit the crossbar with a header as Barca threatened to run away with the game and Sevilla had goalkeeper Javi Varas to thank for a good save as he got down low to parry a Messi free kick.

The first half ended with a scare for Barcelona as Messi stayed down holding his ankle following a challenge from Varas, but he had recovered in time for the second half.

Sevilla were level three minutes to the break. Alvaro Negredo did magnificently to hold the ball up and cross for Jesus Navas to head home from close range.

Negredo missed another chance a minute later as he sliced high and wide from the edge of the penalty area. Freddy Kanoute had come on as a substitute for Sevilla at the start of the second half and he was giving his side more creativity in midfield and attack.

Barcelona took a long time to find their rhythm, but Messi again went close after a mazy run and Bojan could have had a penalty following a challenge from Navas, while at the other end Victor Valdes produced a fine save to stop Navas putting his side ahead as the game became ever more frantic.

Iniesta hit the bar from 25 yards and then saw Gary Medel clear a shot off the line, but a draw was a fair result for the enormous effort both sides made over the 90 minutes.