In-form Luis Suarez struck twice to help fire La Liga leaders Barcelona to a 4-0 home victory over struggling Almeria.
Barca seized control at the Nou Camp before Lionel Messi, who had not scored in three matches since his double against Eibar three weeks ago, skipped in from the right wing in the 33rd minute and whipped a left-foot effort inside the far post.
Almeria, who are third from bottom, defended doggedly but conceded again when Suarez netted an almost identical goal 10 minutes into the second half.
Barca centre back Marc Bartra, one of several second-choice players coach Luis Enrique deployed, added a third when he nodded in a Xavi corner with 15 minutes left and Pedro set up Suarez to make it 4-0 in stoppage-time.
“We know that if we don’t stay focused in the league we will not get the three points,” Suarez said in an interview with Spanish television.
“We have our fate in our own hands and we have to keep playing the same way,” added the 28-year-old, who netted the winner in last month’s 2-1 ‘Clasico’ victory at home to Real Madrid.