Barcelona go seven points clear with routine Almeria win

Barcelona went seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 4-0 win over Almeria at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Lionel Messi, Marc Bartra and a brace for Luis Suarez were enough for Luis Enrique's men to extend their lead at the top.

A largely frustrating first half saw Barca dominate possession, but they were unable to make their territorial advantage count until Messi struck after the half-hour mark.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner opened the scoring when he jinked inside two defenders before curling an effort into the top corner on 33 minutes.

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Adriano and Pedro both had efforts early in the second half but it was former Liverpool striker Suarez who made it 2-0 10 minutes after the restart.

The Uruguayan notched when he drove at the Almeria backline before bending an effort beyond keeper Julian.

Bartra made it three for Barca with 15 minutes remaining when he headed in Xavi's corner.

Messi thought that he had made it 4-0 inside the last 10 minutes, but his goal was disallowed for offside, before Thomas Partey saw an effort of his own chalked off in stoppage time.

Suarez then put the gloss on the result in stoppage time when he tapped home after Pedro had beaten the offside trap.