Three goals in the space of 15 minutes midway through the second half allowed Barcelona to overcome a poor opening period and canter to victory over Eibar at the Nou Camp.
The visitors initially held Barca at bay with relative comfort and should have even taken the lead when Ander Capa shot wide with the goal gaping.
But the leaders upped their game in the second period and secured three points with classy strikes from Xavi, Neymar and Lionel Messi, who is now just one goal short of equalling the all-time La Liga scoring record ahead of next weekend’s Clasico at Real Madrid.
Those second-half strikes eased the tension that had grown inside the Nou Camp during a lifeless opening 45 minutes from the hosts, who lacked the urgency or precision to break down Eibar’s well organised five-man defence.
Luis Enrique elected to rest Barcelona’s entire starting midfield with Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic watching from the stands and Andres Iniesta on the bench.
Although they commanded more than 80 per cent of the possession, Barca didn’t manage a shot on target until 20 minutes had elapsed, when Messi escaped into the area down the right but saw his low shot well saved by Xabi Irureta.
There were a flurry of chances at the end of the first half, with Xavi’s curler and a header from Messi drawing saves from Irureta, but the best two opportunities fell Eibar’s way. Firstly, Ander Capa burst clear down the left and rounded Claudio Bravo but could only shoot into the side netting with the goal gaping, before Saul Berjon ran onto a long ball and outpaced the static defence but shot too close to the Chilean goalkeeper.
The interval was greeted with a crescendo of whistles from disgruntled home supporters and there was nothing to improve their mood in the opening stages of the second half as Barca continued to labour.
But then came the breakthrough as Xavi fed Messi and continued his run into the area, receiving a return pass from the Argentine in his stride and lifting a cool finish over the onrushing Irureta.
Pedro, again disappointing, sent a weak volley straight at the visiting ‘keeper who then did well to deflect wide a fierce drive from Messi.
But Eibar’s resistance was broken for a second time when Dani Alves clipped a ball into the middle and it fell perfectly for Neymar, who swivelled to steer home a first-time volley with his right foot.
Two minutes later the game was well and truly over as Messi got on the scoresheet, exchanging passes with Neymar down the left and firing home a fierce low shot via the inside of the far upright.
Irureta produced two more saves to deny Messi a second, and Eibar left with their heads held high after giving the hosts more than a run for their money.
