Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga as they put three unanswered goals past 10-man Elche on Saturday.
Robert Lewandowski added another two goals to his La Liga tally while his strike partner Memphis Depay also got on the scoresheet in an extremely convincing victory to prove he's the man to start alongside him regularly.
The task of the hosts at Camp Nou was made very simple inside quarter of an hour as Gonzalo Verdu was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Lewandowski was the man he fouled so it probably saved an opening goal but it left his side with a mountain to climb.
The Poland striker made sure that wouldn't be his only chance to score. In the 34th minute, he added the simplest of finishing touches to a well-worked attacking move, converting Alex Balde's pinpoint low cross.
It was Depay's turn to find the back of the net seven minutes later as he turned his defender brilliantly before firing an unstoppable effort past Edgar Badia.
The only goal of the second half came just moments after the restart. The ball fell loose in the penalty area and Depay retrieved it before laying a simple chance on for Lewandowski who made no mistake.
The game finished 3-0 to Barca, here are the winners, losers and ratings from Camp Nou.
Getty ImagesWinners
Memphis Depay:
As he continues to have to scrap for his place in Xavi's side, Memphis Depay did his chances of a regular starting berth the world of good. He was excellent on the ball throughout the game and his performance was capped off perfectly with a great goal and a very clever assist for Lewandowski.
Robert Lewandowski:
He scores goals, it's as simple as that. After his movement caused Verdu to drag him down when he was clean through on goal, Lewandowski cashed in. His two goals certainly won't be amongst the best he has ever scored but they showed his ever-impressive striker's instinct and extended his lead in the race for the Pichichi.
Pedri:
Yet another top-drawer showing from Pedri. His passing was typically accurate throughout and, on another day, he would have come away with an assist or two to his name having created five chances. If he's this good at 19 then it's scary to consider how good he could become.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLosers
Gonzalo Verdu:
The Elche captain let his team-mates down when he decided to drag Lewandowski to the ground after just 13 minutes. While he stopped what probably would have been the opening goal, leaving his side a man down cost them any chance of an already-unlikely result.
Francisco Rodriguez:
Like his captain, the Elche manager was shown a red card by referee Alejandro Muniz. He was understandably frustrated with what he had seen but to unleash a barrage of abuse on the match official was extremely unprofessional.
Franck Kessie:
With a number of strong performances around him, Franck Kessie struggled to stamp his authority on the game. He struggled to keep his arms to himself as he was booked for a flailing elbow inside five minutes. He could have been shown another yellow card later in the first half when he caught another opponent with an outstretched arm. He was replaced by Gavi at half-time.
Getty ImagesBarcelona Ratings: Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7/10): He could've stayed at home this afternoon. Made one extremely easy late save and completed each of his 13 attempted passes.
Jules Kounde (7/10): Played well despite being used at right-back. Got forward well and contributed effectively.
Ronald Araujo (6/10): Like Ter Stegen, he didn't have much to do at all. However, he should've scored in the second half when he was picked out in space inside the six-yard box.
Eric Garcia (6/10): A solid performance. He did everything asked of him and was scarcely troubled before being replaced by Bellerin on the hour mark.
Alex Balde (8/10): Continues to keep Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso out of the team with strong performances at left-back. He was impressive yet again and provided assists for the first two goals.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Franck Kessie (5/10): An afternoon to forget for the Ivorian. He struggled to keep pace with the game in the first half and was perhaps fortunate not to be sent off for two separate flailing arms. Withdrawn at half-time for Gavi.
Frenkie De Jong (7/10): Won't have many easier afternoons. He controlled the tempo nicely and played a key role in a number of Barca's attacking moves.
Pedri (8/10): Yet another performance beyond his years. He continues to show why he's arguably the best young midfielder in world football. What a player.
