Barcelona: Barcelona opened up an 11-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga standings ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico as Luis Suarez and Paulinho scored twice each in a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna here Sunday at the Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi also saw a penalty saved and hit the woodwork three times as Barca regained their six-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid. Barca extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 games since they were beaten by Real on their last visit to the Santiago Bernabeu in the Spanish Super Cup back in August. The Argentine has now hit the woodwork 14 times this season, but still had a huge role to play in three of Barca’s four goals.
Only a series of saves from Ruben Martinez to deny Messi and Aleix Vidal delayed Barca until the 29th minute from going in front when Messi presented Suarez with an early Christmas present to tap in from close range.
Messi then smashed against the bar, but the woodwork wasn’t so forgiving for Deportivo when Messi’s next attempt came off the post and fell into Paulinho’s path who made it 2-0 before half time.
Suarez had to wait just two minutes into the second half to net his fourth goal in three games by sweeping home Sergi Roberto’s cross. Messi then hit the woodwork for a third time and then saw Martinez brilliantly save his effort from the spot after Suarez was upended inside the area.
But Martinez was helpless as Paulinho profited from a repeat of his first goal when he rolled into an empty net on the rebound after Jordi Alba hitting the frame of the goal.
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