MADRID: Champions Barcelona matched La Liga’s record tally of 100 points for a campaign when they swept aside Malaga 4-1 at the Nou Camp in their final game on Saturday.
In his first season since replacing Pep Guardiola, coach Tito Vilanova’s side equalled Real Madrid’s record-breaking points haul set under Jose Mourinho last season.
Barca scored three times in the opening 16 minutes through David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and Martin Montoya as the hosts tore Malaga apart.
Andres Iniesta curled in a fourth at the start of the second period before Pedro Morales volleyed a consolation goal for the visitors and their departing coach Manuel Pellegrini in the 56th minute.
Popular French defender Eric Abidal was given a rousing reception as he came on as a 75th-minute substitute to play his last minutes for Barca after the club said on Thursday they would not be renewing his contract.
Barca top the standings with 100 points from 38 games, 15 ahead of second-placed Real who signed off with a 4-2 home win over Osasuna earlier.
Gonzalo Higuain, Michael Essien, Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon scored as an under-strength team ensured Mourinho ended his three-year tenure in the Spanish capital on a high note.
The Portuguese, who is expected to join Chelsea, left the Bernabeu amid divided opinions as he was cheered by some sections of the crowd and whistled by others.
“We respect his decision (to leave), as do the club, and we wish him luck,” Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa told reporters.
“Everyone knows we have taken a big step forward in terms of competitiveness and we know we could have achieved so much more but because of details and a lack of luck it wasn’t to be.
“He has got some things right and made some mistakes like everyone but he has given his all and defended Real Madrid above all else.” (Reuters)