Midfielder Xavi needed 19 minutes to put Barca in front when he latched onto a Samuel Eto'o through pass to slot home.

Sensational winger Lionel Messi doubled the lead six minutes later after a superb solo effort.

Thierry Henry extended the gap on 32 minutes when he rounded the keeper before poking into an empty net.

Cameroon striker Eto'o made it 4-0 two minutes before the break and Daniel Alves further widened Almeria misery with a 50th-minute goal.

Eto'o scored his second of the night after being fed by Henry to complete the rout and take his tally to 25 goals.

Pursuit

Title holders and second-placed Real continued their pursuit of Barcelona with a convincing victory over Almeria.

Two goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar and one from Marcelo gave Los Merengues all three points.

Barcelona, who aim to win the league title for the first time since 2006, are on top of the table on 69 points, six ahead of Real with 10 matches to go.