Barcelona scored four goals in a single game for the first time since October to go 15 points clear of Real Madrid in the Spanish LaLiga Santander, courtesy of their 4-0 win over Elche.
With Real Madrid not in action until today, Xavi’s team took advantage with a goalfest at the Estadio Martinez Valero, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.
Five games had passed for Robert Lewandowski since his last goal, against Manchester United in the Europa League at Old Trafford, but he was back on the scoresheet here. His first came from a smart set piece routine, with Jordi Alba taking it from deep and Ronald Araujo knocking it down to the Polish striker to score.
Minutes before half time, he could have made it two with a headed chance which he sent over the bar from short range.
Another Barcelona forward who has had a rough time of late, given his father’s controversial comments about his minutes, is Ansu Fati, and he joined Lewandowski in scoring.
Making his first start in almost a month, Ferran Torres fed him in and he raced through to add a pinpoint finish from the edge of the box and double Barcelona’s lead in the 56th minute.
His strike partner Lewandowski added a third only 10 minutes later as Gavi won the ball in a dangerous position and set up Lewandowski for a clinical finish.
Four minutes later, Lewandowski floated the ball across the pitch to Ferran Torres, who cut in on his left and curled his shot beyond Edgar Badia.
That completed the set to mean each of Barcelona’s three forwards had gotten on the scoresheet.
The result means that Elche remain 13 points adrift at the bottom of the standings, while Barcelona make it five consecutive wins at the top of the table.
Source: Oman News Agency