Barcelona returned to the top of the La Liga table with a 4-0 win over Elche on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Pedro left a dominant Barca outfit 2-0 ahead at the interval.
Xavi missed a penalty in the early stages of the second half, but Sanchez made it 3-0 just past the hour mark, before completing his hat-trick 20 minutes from time.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.
Match statistics:
Barcelona:
Shots: 13
On target: 6
Possession: 64%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12
Elche:
Shots: 3
On target: 0
Possession: 36%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 17
Was the result fair?
The scoreline might be slightly harsh on Elche, but there is no question that Barcelona deserved to collect all three points. They dominated possession from start to finish and played some really smart incisive football in the final third. Anyone for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona next week? That promises to be a real cracker in the Spanish capital.
Barcelona's performance
Who needs Lionel Messi? The Catalan outfit returned to the top of the La Liga table this afternoon with an impressive result and indeed performance at Camp Nou. Sanchez will rightly steal the headlines, but Cesc Fabregas and Pedro were also sensational in midfield. The return of Jordi Alba at left-back also provided a threat from full-back once more. Nothing but positives for the Spanish champions.
Elche's performance
In truth, how Elche fare this season will not depend on their results at places such as Camp Nou. They had their moments in an open first half, but there was not a single period in the match where they looked like worrying Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal. They did manage to quell the constant pressure at 2-0, but simply could not match the intensity of their opponents in the second period.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Alexis Sanchez: The Chilean attacker took his La Liga tally to 11 for the season with a treble this afternoon. Aside from his wonderful hat-trick, the attacker impressed with his pace and movement in the final third. There is no question that he is currently in the form of his career.
Biggest gaffe of the match
On-loan Elche defender Alberto Botia made a really poor decision on the edge of his own box in the second period when he brought down Sanchez. The Spanish centre-back paid the biggest of prices when Sanchez stepped up and curled a sensational free kick into the top corner.
Referee performance
I am not sure if David Fernandez has had an easier match to officiate all season. The Spaniard allowed the 90 minutes to flow without any real incident, while he correctly awarded Barcelona a penalty in the second period. However, Botia was perhaps lucky to remain on the field in the latter stages when he pulled down Andres Iniesta inside the box.
What next?
Barcelona: The Catalan outfit are in Copa del Rey action at home to Getafe on Wednesday, before they travel to Atletico Madrid in La Liga next weekend.
Elche: Elche return to league action at home to in-form Sevilla next weekend.
Matt Law
