Neymar came to stuttering Barcelona’s rescue with two goals in a tight and, at times, nervy win against Villarreal.
The Brazilian rolled home a first-half penalty but Villarreal levelled with a header from Mateo Musacchio, only for Neymar to stab home the winner just as the home fans’ nerves started to jangle.
The victory takes Barca five points clear of eternal rivals Real Madrid following their draw at Osasuna, and Neymar’s emergence as a bone-fide match-winner could have significant long-term ramifications in the title race.
With Villarreal content to play on the counter-attack, Barca gradually began to exert more pressure, but there was an element of fortune to their opener as Jordi Alba’s cross crashed into the arm of visiting right-back Mario, who could do nothing to get out of the way.
Referee Ignacio Iglesias pointed to the spot, and Neymar sent Sergio Asenjo the wrong way.
Villarreal had barely featured as an attacking force in the first half but they scored a shock leveller in the opening minutes of the second period as a left-wing corner from Manu Trigueros found captain Musacchio, who powered home an unstoppable header.
The visitors were reinvigorated by their goal, and came close to taking the lead when former Barca striker Gio Dos Santos cut inside to shoot wide of the right upright.
Sanchez tried to raise Barca’s spirits with a long-range shot that Asenjo saved with comfort, but the home team had made a sloppy start to the second half and Villarreal were looking the more likely scorers, forcing Tata Martino to introduce Xavi in place of Song.
Cesc Fabregas then raced through to see his shot deflected over by the onrushing Asenjo, but the hosts didn’t have to wait for long to retake the lead.
Fabregas delivered a deep angled cross into the path of Sanchez, who just stayed onside to calmly control and lay the ball into the path of Neymar for a simple tap-in.
Neymar went in search of a second consecutive hat-trick and the Brazilian was only denied by Asenjo’s legs after shooting low from a narrow angle.
Asenjo again did well to turn aside Iniesta’s volley after a nicely dinked cross by Sanchez. Pedro fired a late chance into the side-netting in a stretched finale, and Barca survived a couple of frantic Villarreal attacks to secure three crucial points.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Neymar
Neymar was once again Barcelona’s hero, following up his midweek hat-trick against Celtic with a matchwinning double. Lionel Messi’s absence is a chance for the Brazilian to make his mark and he’s grasping that opportunity with both hands.
MATCH VERDICT
Barca just about did enough to win against a cautious Villarreal team who could have profited from a more adventurous approach. The hosts didn’t really click but forced visiting keeper Sergio Asenjo into a number of fine saves.
