Barcelona, Feb 15 (IANS) Striker Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as FC Barcelona produced a second half avalanche of goals to beat a tired Celta Vigo 6-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium to remain at top of the La Liga.
Lionel Messi put Barcelona ahead in the first half on Sunday but John Guidetti levelled from the penalty spot before the break. Then Suarez sprang into action with goals in the 59th, 75th and 81st minutes to kill off the game before late goals from Ivan Rakitic and Neymar put the icing, reports Xinhua.
Fernando Torres scored after one minute for Atletico Madrid away to Getafe to help the team 1-0. Atletico have not conceded a goal in their last 11 games against their local rivals, while scoring 23 themselves.
Real Madrid kept themselves in the title hunt after an exciting 4-2 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, who deserved more for their courage and football, but were undone by Madrid’s firepower.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the third minute and Athletic drew level through Javi Erraso, but just as they were playing their best football, James Rodriguez scored with a shot from nowhere and Tony Kroos made it 3-1 on the stroke of halftime.
Ronaldo’s second of the game came four minutes from the end, although Gorka Elustondo gave the visitors some pride in the last minute.
Roberto Soldado’s 19th minute goal strengthened Villarreal’s grip on the fourth place, while Gary Neville will breathe slightly easier after seeing his side win a league game for the first time since he took over.
It has taken 10 games for Neville to see his side win in the league and Denis Cheryshev’s 76th minute goal which put them in front of an Espanyol.
Oscar Duarte had put Espanyol ahead early in the second half, only for Alvaro Negredo and Cheryshev to overturn the score in just three minutes which have probably saved Neville’s job.
Fifth-placed Sevilla equalled a club record of 11 consecutive home wins in the league with a 2-0 at home to struggling Las Palmas. Second half substitute Vitolo came on to set up Ever Banega and Kevin Gameiro for the goals to condemn his former club to their 22nd consecutive away game without a win in the Spanish top flight football.
Eibar moved into sixth place thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Levante, with Borja Baston scoring his 16th goal of the season and Adrian Gonzalez also netting.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Real Sociedad enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Granada. Jonathas scored Real Sociedad’s second goal in a result which lifts them into mid-table.
Deportivo la Coruna and Real Betis shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw with goals from Alex Bergantinos, Musonda, Vargas and Faycal Fajir.
