Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points with a 6-1 win over Girona at Camp Nou on Saturday night.
Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick while an inspired Lionel Messi bagged a brace.
Philippe Coutinho scored a sublime goal from range as well to see the Catalans run out comfortable winners.
Here, we rate the performances of Barcelona’s players.
STARTING XI (4-4-2)
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Didn’t have much to do as usual. Why do they even pay him? Oh wait, maybe for world-class saves like the one on the line to deny Aleix Garcia at the death. 7
Nelson Semedo – Hardly featured in defence. Was busy being an extra winger with Ousmane Dembele cutting inside. Good going forward though. 6
Gerard Pique – Cruised through most of the game before being hooked off just past the hour-mark to be preserved. 7
Samuel Umtiti – His casual defending saw him pushed off the ball by Portu for the early opener. 5
Jordi Alba – Wasn’t at his marauding best and picked up a booking for a clumsy foul. Was surprisingly good in the air. 6
Ousmane Dembele – His effort in the second half went just wide but his energy and sharpness is what will have pleased Ernesto Valverde. 7
Ivan Rakitic – Didn’t put up much resistance as Girona stole in to score. Played a fine through ball for Dembele to square for Suarez. 7
Sergio Busquets – Uncharacteristically gave the ball away in the build up to Girona’s goal. Didn’t put a foot wrong otherwise. Will still go home and scream into a pillow though. 6
Philippe Coutinho – Had the easiest of tasks squaring the ball for Suarez after Messi’s perfectly weighted through ball. Complemented the front two well and scored a trademark curler from distance. 8
Luis Suarez – If not for Messi, the Uruguayan would be the one receiving all the plaudits. Excellent again, scoring a fine hat-trick, bagging an assist and striking the post. A great centre-forward display. 9
Lionel Messi – He’s so good, it’s almost unfair. Dominated proceedings without breaking a sweat. Two goals, two assists, too easy. Oh, and he’s also the leading assist provider in La Liga history now but whatever. 9
SUBSTITUTES
Paulinho (for Busquets 69′) – Didn’t really have an impact after coming on. A few sideways passes and he called it a night. 6
Thomas Vermaelen (for Pique 63′) – Headed onto the post from a Coutinho corner. 7
Sergi Roberto (for Rakitic 77′) – The game was up when he entered the fray. N/A