Second-half goals from Marc Bartra and Neymar, along with a Lionel Messi brace, handed Barcelona victory over Levante at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
© Getty Images
Luis Enrique's men struggled to break down the visiting side in the opening half as they tested Levante keeper Ruben on several occasions without finding the net.
Two Messi free kicks represented Barcelona's clearest chances to break the deadlock but the best the Argentinian could do was find the top of the net with his first attempt.
Defender Bartra was the player to make the breakthrough early in the second period, chesting down a Messi cross in the Levante box before slotting past Ruben.
© Getty Images
Neymar quickly scored the Blaugrana's second, a mistake by Ruben allowing the Brazilian forward to shoot against a Levante defender before slotting home the rebound.
Barcelona then won a penalty for a foul in the box on Neymar, which Messi duly converted to put his side three goals to the good.
© Getty Images
Another goalkeeping error handed Levante a lifeline, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen failed to claim a cross and gave substitute Victor Casadesus an easy task to score his side's opener.
Messi missed his first chance to record a brace, firing his second penalty attempt over the crossbar after he was dragged down in the area by Zou Feddal.
© Getty Images
The Barcelona forward did make it two goals for the night in the final minute as he broke into the Levante box before shooting into the bottom-left corner to seal a 4-1 victory for his side, sending them back to the top of the La Liga table.
Colm Hayes
