Luis Suarez brace secures victory for Barcelona

Barcelona bounced back from their recent defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo with a 2-1 victory at home to Las Palmas in La Liga.

Goals from Luis Suarez either side of half time proved enough for the Catalans, who moved to the top of the table ahead of the evening fixtures.

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The hosts almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Lionel Messi danced into the penalty area and got a shot away, only to be thwarted by a last-ditch block from former Everton defender Antolin Alcaraz.

There was a blow for Barcelona in the 10th minute as Messi took a knock and was deemed unable to continue. Munir El-Haddadi came on to replace him.

Las Palmas had a sniff at goal in the 22nd minute through Roque Mesa, who gained possession in the final third and shot low, directing his effort right at Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The home side took the lead shortly after, Suarez heading in the opening goal from inside the area, rising high to meet a cross from Sergi Roberto.

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It was almost 2-0 in the 25th minute when Suarez played a low ball to Neymar in front of goal, only for the Brazilian to shoot wide unmarked.

Las Palmas created a few chances of their own before the referee brought the half to a close, coming closest to levelling when Wakaso Mubarak curled a strike just over three minutes before the break.

Barca doubled their lead less than 10 minutes into the restart as El Haddadi went on a mazy run and provided a low cross from Suarez to fire home to rack up his second of the afternoon.

The Catalans had the opportunity to move 3-0 ahead in the 66th minute as Alcaraz handballed in the area. Neymar stepped up to take the penalty, but the Brazilian blazed his effort over the bar.

Las Palmas reduced the deficit with two minutes remaining when Jonathan Viera found the net, but it proved no more than consolation.