Barcelona’s MSN on target
Madrid, Jan. 23: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as Barcelona shrugged off the loss of the injured Sergio Busquets to remain just two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday.
Sevilla separate the giants of Spanish football in second, just a point behind Madrid, after twice coming from behind to edge a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at rock-bottom Osasuna.
However, Real Madrid also have a game in hand over their title rivals.
Barca’s visit to the Basque Country was only eight minutes in when Busquets had to be carried off with ankle ligament damage after a dangerous challenge from Gonzalo Escalante that went unpunished.
There was little doubt over the outcome once Denis Suarez, who had replaced Busquets, drilled home his first Barca goal. Neymar missed a one-onone and Luis Suarez hit the post as Barca squandered a series of chances to kill off the game before half-time.
Messi doubled their lead just six minutes into the second-half and Luis Suarez robbed Florian Lejeune before slotting home at the near post 22 minutes from time.
Neymar hadn’t scored from open play since October, but brought that run to an end by slotting home Aleix Vidal’s low cross in stoppage time.
Bilbao hold Atletico
Atletico Madrid lost further ground on the top three as they needed Antoine Griezmann equaliser 10 minutes from time to secure a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao. Diego Simeone’s men are now eight points back on Real Madrid.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Koke’s cross towards Griezmann evaded everyone and flew into the far corner. —