FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised his side's second goal as Barcelona beat Malaga 2-1 to remain top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga late on Saturday night.

Leo Messi netted the decisive goal with seven minutes remaining after it had looked as if Valdo's strike was going to earn Malaga a 1-1 draw in the Camp Nou.

However, Messi finished off a splendid passing move involving Xavi Hernandez and Dani Alves to ensure justice was done to an excellent Barcelona performance.

Barca totally outplayed Malaga and had it not been for some good keeping from Malaga's Munua and some wayward finishing, the final score would have been much larger.

"The second goal showed real quality. We wanted to get our ball playing footballers in the side and when they do that they are impossible to stop. The ball moved around well and it was a spectacular goal," said Guardiola, who had criticized his side after its 4-0 win against Racing last weekend.

"Today we played well, we elaborated the move and I think it's the game where we have got to the byline the most often." He added on the club website this Sunday morning.

"We were not so good in previous games, but if we carry on like today, we will offer a lot more football. That gives me a lot of confidence as I look to the future."

"This was a lot better than in the Racing game. It was our best home performance all season and I am going home happy," said Guardiola.