Barca open 11-point lead over Real
Barcelona opened up an 11-point lead over Real Madrid ahead of next weekend’s Clasico as Luis Suarez and Paulinho each scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo la Coruna.
Lionel Messi also saw a penalty saved and hit the woodwork three times as Barca regained their six-point lead over Atletico Madrid in second place.
Real remain down in fourth, but do have a game in hand on their rivals as they missed out on domestic action this weekend to win the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
“I know people fixate on the difference between us and Real Madrid, but Atletico are just six points behind,” said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde.
Messi paraded his fourth golden boot awar before kick-off and could barely believe his luck as he failed to add to his 18 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 passed to Suarez to tap in from close range.
Messi then smashed against the bar, but the rebound landed in Paulinho’s path to make it 2-0 before the break.
MORE GOAL LINE CONTROVERSY
Suarez thought he had his second moments later when the ball looked to have crossed the line. However, for the second time in less than a month Barca were foiled by lack of goal-line technology as the goal wasn’t awarded. The Uruguayan, though, 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 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 also hit the frame of the goal.
Earlier, Villarreal bounced back from three straight defeats to grab a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo.
Managerless Las Palmas struck twice in the last 10 minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw with Espanyol while Girona won 1-0 at home against Getafe.
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