Madrid, Nov 29 (IANS) FC Barcelona cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday, strengthening their position at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga.
Leo Messi was again in the starting 11, but it was Neymar and Luis Suarez who will continue to capture the headlines, scoring Barca’s first three goals between them, before Messi ended the scoring in the last minute, reports Xinhua.
Barca coach Luis Enrique sprang one surprise in his side with Jeremy Mathieu in for Jordi Alba at let back while Javier Mascherano was back in central defense after missing out in midweek following a knock he picked up during the “clasico”.
Kicking off with the chance to put nine points between themselves and Real Madrid, Barca soon gave a declaration of intent when Andres Iniesta hit the post with a rare header.
The fans in the Camp Nou didn’t have to wait long until the first goal came as Neymar was on target following a cross from Dani Alves.
To their credit, Real Sociedad didn’t sit back and defend in their own half and the side coached by former Barca player Eusebio Sacristan looked to move the ball in midfield themselves.
However, Barca are in their best form of the season and Suarez scored the second of the game with a spectacular volley from another Alves cross.
The third goal came 10 minutes into the second half and it was Neymar again to score with a simple tap in following good work from Mathieu down the left wing as the visiting defense remained static.
Messi missed a chance to add a fourth with a shot from close to the penalty spot which scraped past the wrong side of the post.
The third goal killed the game and it was clear that Real Sociedad had no way back, while Barca coach Luis Enrique opted to give minutes to Marc Bartra and Adriano ahead of this week’s King’s Cup tie.
All that was left was for Messi to end the game by scoring his side’s fourth goal, after being set up by a neat move between Suarez and Neymar.