Nou Camp side thump lesser opposition.
Luis Enrique’s side leapfrog Real Madrid to the top of La Liga thanks to a comprehensive win over Rayo Vallecano at the Nou Camp.
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Luis Suarez continued his fine run of form with an early opening goal, with the former Liverpool man beating the offside trap before firing home.
A second goal wasn’t immediately forthcoming with Gerard Pique calming home fan nerves with a close range effort early in the second half.
On 56 minutes Rayo Vallecano were reduced to ten men and Lionel Messi bagged a penalty, at the second attempt, to put Barcelona firmly in the driving seat.
Messi netted his second, Barcelona’s fourth, just minutes later, after Rayo Vallecano failed to clear their lines.
The Argentine completed his 11 minute hat-trick after dancing around the away side’s defence and slotting home from an acute angle.
Dani Alves received a red card late on, his tackle deemed a foul, to give Rayo Vallecano the chance to secure a consolation from the spot.
Alberto Bueno duly fired in to make it 5-1.
Suarez grabbed his second, and Barcelona’s sixth, in the dying moments.