UPDATE 1-Soccer-Messi injury blow as Barca go top with win over Sevilla

Barcelona snapped a four-match winless run in La Liga with a 4-2 home victory over title rivals Sevilla on Saturday to reclaim top spot but the triumph was marred by talisman Lionel Messi being forced off with an injured arm.

Record signing Philippe Coutinho gave Barca the ideal start by curling a first-time shot into the top corner in the second minute, helped by a clever through ball from Messi.

Sevilla almost struck back instantly when Guilherme Arana hit the post but Messi doubled the lead in the 12th minute with a trademark solo run from deep and a left-footed strike into the far corner as he entered the area.

The Argentine was left badly hurt moments later following a challenge from Franco Vazquez and left the pitch with a bandaged right arm, sparking fitness concerns ahead of Barca's home clashes next week with Inter Milan in the Champions League and arch-rivals Real Madrid in the 'Clasico'.

The Catalans, now on 18 points from nine games and one point clear of Alaves and two of Sevilla, lacked momentum without Messi in the second half and it took a jaw-dropping double save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen to prevent Sevilla from pulling a goal back.

Moments after the German's heroics, Barca practically killed off the game when Luis Suarez converted from the penalty spot after being tripped by Sevilla's goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

Sevilla midfielder Pablo Sarabia pulled a goal back for the visitors soon after, helped by a heavy deflection from Barca defender Clement Lenglet, only for former Sevilla skipper Ivan Rakitic to score Barca's fourth, declining to celebrate the strike against his former club.

Sevilla substitute Luis Muriel made it 4-2 in stoppage time after ter Stegen had made another stunning double save.