In-form Lionel Messi hit the opener on 21 minutes, French ace Thierry Henry doubled the lead shortly after, and Samuel Eto'o added the third four minutes before the half-time whistle.

After the interval, Henry struck again on 82 minutes, and Cameroonian hitman Eto'o put the icing on the cake with a penalty four minutes from time.

As a result of the penalty, Depor keeper Daniel Aranzubia was sent off for bringing down Carles Puyol as Eto'o had to beat midfielder Juan Rodriguez in goal.

On registering the victory, Josep Guardiola's men amassed a record-breaking number of points for the first half of a season, with 50 from 19 matches.

Last term, Real Madrid set a record of 47 points at mid-season.

Leadres Barcelona are now 12 points ahead of second-placed Sevilla, who beat Numancia 1-0 later.