Barcelona: Luis Suarez celebrated his bumper new five-year Barcelona deal in style with a double as the La Liga champions defeated Espanyol 4-1 in the Catalan derby to move to within three points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
However, it was Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi’s skills that stole the show as Barca took advantage of Real’s duties in winning the Club World Cup earlier Sunday to cut the gap at the top ahead of La Liga’s three-week winter break.
Iniesta teed up Suarez for an early opener before both Iniesta and Messi showed sublime touches for the second eventually finished off by Suarez.
Messi created Barca’s third as well for Jordi Alba before David Lopez pulled a goal back for Espanyol as their 10-game unbeaten run came to an end. The five-time ‘World Player of the Year’ wasn’t to be denied, though, as Messi got the goal his performance deserved a minute from time.
Barca’s upturn in form in recent weeks has coincided with the return of veteran playmaker Iniesta from a six-week injury lay-off and the Spanish international was to the fore as the hosts dominated throughout.
“When everyone is playing well it’s important for individual talents, like those Messi has, to flourish. He’s a sensational player,” said Iniesta trying to turn away the spotlight from him. “It was an intense derby, we played well and we are very happy to have won the last league game of the year.”
Iniesta sparked a sweeping counter-attack on eight minutes involving all three of Barca’s star-studded frontline as he fed Suarez, who spun away from the Espanyol defence to score.
Suarez moved level with Messi as La Liga’s top scorer with 12 with Barca’s second, but once again the credit should go to Iniesta and Messi as they dribbled past a combined seven Espanyol defenders before Messi’s shot was parried by Roberto and Suarez snaffled up the rebound.
Reuters
