Barcelona overcome resilient Eibar to maintain unbeaten start

Barcelona have extended their unbeaten start to the La Liga season by overcoming Eibar 3-0 at the Camp Nou this evening.

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The home side were unable to break down their opponents in the early stages, and it took until the 21-minute mark before they created the game's first real opening as Neymar picked out Lionel Messi, but the Argentina international could not find a way past a resolute opposition defence.

Moments later, Messi had another sight of goal, only to this time be thwarted by Xabi Iruretagoiena.

It was Eibar who should have taken the lead before half time, however, when Ander Capa capitalised on some sloppy defending from Gerard Pique before rounding Claudio Bravo, only to roll the ball wide of an unguarded net.

Bravo was called into action on the brink of the interval to deny Saul as the sides went into the break all square.

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Barcelona did eventually manage to make the breakthrough on the hour, as Xavi coolly lofted the ball over Iruretagoiena after being smartly picked out by Messi inside the box.

Pedro wasted a good opportunity to double his side's advantage a few minutes later, although Neymar soon gave Luis Enrique's men some breathing space when he volleyed home Dani Alves's cross from the right.

The Basque outfit were unable to live with the league leaders, conceding a third goal shortly after following some nice link-up play between Neymar and Messi, with the latter finding the bottom corner of the net via the post for his 250th La Liga goal.

The win ensures that Barcelona remain four points clear of Real Madrid ahead of next weekend's El Clasico meeting, while Eibar drop down to 11th.