A fantastic second half performance saw Barcelona score three goals as they beat Sevilla at the Camp Nou on Sunday night.
The result sees Xavi’s side make the most of Real Madrid’s shock defeat in Mallorca earlier in the day as the Catalans extended their lead to eight points at the top of the La Liga table.
Barcelona starts strong
Barcelona were the better of the two teams from kick-off as they immobilized Sevilla with their fluid passing and holding possession with ease.
The LaLiga leaders had to weather an early defeat when Sergio Busquets had to leave the field through injury and was replaced by Franck Kessie.
Ronald Araujo should have made it 1-0 for the hosts on 17 minutes, but the Uruguayan defender couldn’t keep up his free header on goal to put the away team out of play.
Nine minutes later, Robert Lewandowski’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Bono to keep the game goalless.
Barcelona had most of the ball but failed to create any clear chances from then on as both teams headed goallessly into the tunnel late in the first half.
The game continued in the same vein after the restart, Barcelona with the ball while Sevilla were content to defend in depth, withstand the pressure and hit on the counterattack.
The floodgates finally open
Jodi Alba finally opened the scoring for the night in the 58th minute after a wonderful interplay between Raphina and Kessie down the left flank. The full-back calmly sent his shot to the far post to give his side a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
From then on, the floodgates opened and it was all one-way traffic. Gavi doubled the lead 12 minutes after Raphinha found the teenager cut back after chaotic defending from the traveling side.
Alba then became a provider for Raphinha in the 79th minute as the Brazilian wrapped up all three points for his team after a low cross into the box from the left flank.
The Blaugrana reached 53 points from 20 games and have yet to concede a league goal at home since open play this season, having kept 15 clean sheets and conceding 7 goals in total.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Pressinphoto
