Henry breaks goal drought as Barcelona pile on pressure

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry scored his first goal in over two months as the defending champions beat nine-man Xerez 3-1 on Saturday to open a four-point gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Coach Pep Guardiola sent out a makeshift side with several players rested ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final clash against Inter Milan while Dani Alves was suspended.

Following an opener from Jeffren Isaias, Henry, given a rare start, then found the back of the net for the first time since he scored against Racing Santander in mid-February.

A minute later Mario Bermejo brought bottom-side Xerez back into the game and the visitors had several excellent chances to equalise at the start of the second half with the Barca defence struggling.

Keeper Victor Valdes saved from point blank range from Emiliano Armenteros and Bermejo before Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted a Yaya Toure cross to give Barcelona a two-goal cushion.

Xerez lost their composure in the final minutes with Matias Alustiza and Fabian Orellana both dismissed as Barcelona secured a provisional four-point lead over Real Madrid who face Zaragoza later Saturday.

Real welcome back Kaka after a month and a half on the sidelines through injury, although the Brazilian is still set to start on the bench.

Despite losing El Clasico against Barcelona a fortnight ago, Real remain in the hunt for the title after the leaders could only draw away at Espanyol last weekend.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini believes Kaka’s return will be an important boost for the final five games.

“The team has missed him a lot in terms of his assists and the goals he has scored. It is true that we have not struggled but you are always going to miss a player like Kaka,” he said.

Zaragoza are fighting for their survival, just two points off the relegation zone, after failing to win in their last three games.

Valencia are aiming to improve against Deportivo La Coruna after showing little fight in a comprehensive defeat by Real Madrid.

On Sunday, fourth-placed Mallorca play Malaga in a game coach Gregorio Manzano has described as the most important of the season as they battle it out with Sevilla, who take on Getafe, for the final Champions League spot.

Below them in the hunt for a Europa League place, Villarreal travel to face Racing Santander, while Athletic Bilbao, level with them on points, are also away at Osasuna.

At the other end of the table the arrival of Javier Clemente as coach at Valladolid has led to an upturn in results but they are still four points from safety and play a Sporting Gijon side also looking to secure their own top-flight status.

Back-to-back wins for Tenerife have improved their chances of survival and they now meet an Atletico Madrid side in mid-table and with nothing left to play for in the league.

Espanyol are hoping to improve their poor away record as they prepare to take on Almeria.