Match Analysis: Barcelona 5-1 Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona have moved 14 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a thumping 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.

Gerard Pique handed Barcelona the lead after 22 minutes and it was quickly 2-0 moments later when Lionel Messi converted from close range. Meanwhile, Adriano finished off a sweeping move to make it three before the interval.

An uneventful start to the second period was livened up before the hour mark when Cesc Fabregas added a fourth, but Bilbao opened their tally through Ibai Gomez after 65 minutes.

The pressure did not stop from the home side, however, and Messi added his second of the match with a strike 20 minutes from time.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.

Match statistics:

Barcelona Shots 18 On target 10 Possession 56% Corners 3 Fouls 7

Athletic Bilbao Shots 5 On target 2 Possession 44% Corners 1 Fouls 10

Was the result fair?

The fact that Bilbao did not conjure up a single attacking opportunity inside the opening 45 minutes tells you everything you need to know about the first period. The second half was a much closer affair in terms of attacking chances, but the damage had already been done. It was five goals for the home side but it could have been more.

Barcelona's performance

8/10. As has been the case so often this season, a period of two minutes in the first half changed the entire course of the match. The Catalans were not at their best for large periods of the match, but they always had enough to secure the points. It was another comfortable evening for the home side, who have now made the best-ever start to a league season in Spain.

Athletic Bilbao's performance

5/10. Bilbao started the match in confident fashion and although they did not have a great deal of attacking intent, they did enough to quell the Barcelona threat. But that changed mid-way through the opening period as they found themselves quickly 2-0 down. Their hard work and pressing was a lot harder to maintain the further they fell behind in the second half.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Lionel Messi: It is almost boring handing the Argentine this accolade on a weekly basis. But who else could have it? Two goals and an assist marked a fine all-round display.

Biggest gaffe of the match

Bilbao's defending this evening left a lot to be desired. They impressed in the opening 20 minutes, but fell apart in the remaining 25 minutes of the half and were equally exploited in the second period.

Referee performance

Antonio Mateu had a productive 90 minutes of action this evening. He went unnoticed for large periods and it seemed like even he was enjoying Barcelona's football at times.

What next?

Barcelona: Tito Vilanova's side return to Champions League duty at home to Benfica on Wednesday before travelling to Real Betis in the league next Sunday.

Athletic Bilbao: Bilbao are in Europa League action against Sparta Prague on Thursday before they return to league action at home to Celta Vigo next Sunday.