Andres Iniesta, returning from injury, stepped off the substitutes' bench to poke home Barca's second goal of the night just as it seemed Mallorca might hold on for an unlikely point at the Nou Camp.

Aritz Aduriz gave the visitors a surprise lead after 15 minutes following some sloppy Barcelona defending, but Thierry Henry brought the Catalans level with a finely-taken equaliser on the half-hour mark.

The league leaders completely dominated the second half but were unable to find a way through until Iniesta's crucial strike 15 minutes from time.

Yaya Toure added an impressive third in the dying seconds after Mallorca had been reduced to 10 men following Josemi's dismissal.

In the night's other game, Valencia ran out convincing 3-1 winners against Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla.

David Silva gave a virtuoso display for the victors, scoring twice to cap a morale-boosting night for Unai Emery's men.

David Villa gave Los Che the lead from the penalty spot, although the visitors did threaten to take something out of the game when Diego Forlan halved a two-goal deficit from 12 yards on the stroke of half-time.