Barcelona were without front man Lionel Messi and Neymar Dos Santos and Luis Suarez made sure the Argentine absent is not felt as the Catalans overcame the informed Sporting Gijon 5-0 in Saturday LaLiga match.
Suarez and Rafinha scored in first-half to put the champions in command of the contest at El Molinon, where the hosts finished with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Alberto Lora for a second bookable offence.
Neymar’s double and an Arda Turan goal added gloss to the scoreline late on against demoralised opposition.
The win sees Barca move top of the table on goal difference, level on points – at least temporarily – with Madrid, who are in action away to Las Palmas later in the day.
Barcelona now hopes their form continues and perhaps tipped for a win in their midweek Champions League trip to face Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.
