Madrid, Dec 3 : A 2-0 win over bottom placed Xerez leaves Barcelona five points clear of Real Madrid atop the Spanish Liga.

Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored Wednesday to gave Barca their first away win since September.

The match was originally scheduled for Dec 20 but was brought forward because of Barca's participation in the upcoming Club World Championship.

Josep Guardiola's team now have 33 points from 13 games, five more than second-placed Real, who have played a game less.

Guardiola, as adventurous and inventive as usual, once again raised eyebrows with his lineup. He made no less than six changes from the team that beat Real 1-0 in Sunday's "Clasico," leaving

European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi and Ibrahimovic - scorer of the only goal against Real - on the bench.

The first half was a dull, disjointed affair of few chances.

Straight after half-time, reserve left-back Maxwell broke free and centred for Henry to make it 1-0 with a header that went in off the crossbar.

Xerez, who have scored only four goals in 13 matches, never looked capable of springing a surprise. In their first-ever season in the top flight, they look set for a quick retu rn to the second division.

Barca went all out for a second goal at the end, with Guardiola's supersubs looking keen. Messi hit the post with a powerful drive, and Andres Iniesta had a bad miss. Three minutes into injury time, Messi set up Ibrahimovic to score with a simple lob.

The Swedish striker - the most expensive player in Barca history - has now scored nine Liga goals, one less than top scorer David Villa of Valencia.

Barca faces a sterner test Saturday at fifth-place Deportivo Coruna.(DPA)