Barcelona, Valencia finish 2011 in sumptuous style

Dec 22, 2011, 23:19 GMT

Madrid - Barcelona and Valencia signed off for the Christmas break on Thursday with pleasant romps at home to third-division opposition in the King's Cup.

Barca enjoyed their highest win since Pep Guardiola took over as coach in 2008, trouncing hapless L'Hospitalet 9-0.

The game was preceded by a celebration of Barca's recent Club World Cup triumph in Japan, and Guardiola's team decided to treat the Camp Nou to yet another display of delicious possession football.

Youngsters Isaac Cuenca, Cristian Tello and Thiago - Guardiola's latest young discoveries - each scored a brace. Pedro, Xavi and Andres Iniesta netted the other goals.

Barca go into the third round on an emphatic 10-0 aggregate result.

Earlier Thursday, Valencia crushed Cadiz 4-0, with goals from Victor Ruiz, Roberto Soldado, Jonas and Ever Banega. The first leg in Cadiz was a 0-0 draw.

Wednesday had seen three notable giant-killing acts, with Liga teams Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Zaragoza crashing out against third-division sides Albaceta, Mirandes and Alcorcon, respectively.

In consequence, Atletico sacked coach Gregorio Manzano on Thursday and are poised to replace him with Argentine Diego Simeone.

Villarreal replaced Juan Carlos Garrido with former Spain goalkeeper Jose Molina.