BARCA’S BOUNCE
Leo & Ant give Catalans a lift
Granada 0 Barcelona 4
LIONEL MESSI and Antoine Griezmann each scored twice to help an improving Barcelona cruise home.
Barca won for the third consecutive La Liga game for the first time this season as they swept past 10-man Granada to boost boss Ronald Koeman.
Koeman’s side closed the gap at the top although their rivals have a number of games in hand.
But the Dutchman will have been buoyed by watching his side produce one of their best displays during his reign as they extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
Koeman said: “It was a very important win. We know our situation in the league and that we cannot lose any more games.
“In a big week with three away games, with nine points and playing good football, this shows that the team is growing.
“And it’s a team that is growing in confidence. We now need this to continue.”
Granada had an early chance when
Antonio Puertas’ shot was tipped over by
Barca keeper MarcAndre Ter Stegen.
Barcelona, though, were soon ahead when
Griezmann slotted home in the 11th minute – and they didn’t look back.
The Frenchman was in an offside position but the goal was given as Granada forward Roberto Soldado sliced the ball to him.
Messi doubled the Catalans’ lead in the 35th minute.
Griezmann turned provider with a run into the Granada half before feeding the Barcelona captain, who shot into the top corner.
The Argentine playmaker all but wrapped up the game two minutes before half-time with a free-kick.
With a defender on the floor behind the wall, Messi instead shot low into the far corner on the other side of the goal to become La Liga’s top scorer this season with 11.
It was 4-0 in the 63rd minute when Griezmann collected a pass from Ousmane Dembele to send an angled half-volley into the net.
In the 78th minute, Granada had substitute Jesus Vallejo sent off for tripping Martin Braithwaite as Barca continue to hit their stride.