Player ratings as Barcelona's Messi and Suarez dispatch Villarreal

Andy West 02:17 11/12/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Barcelona restored their five-point lead at the top of the La Liga table after beating 10-man Villarreal 2-0 away from home.

    Luis Suarez rounded the keeper for the opener in the 72nd minute before Lionel Messi doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 84th.

    The result leaves Real Madrid eight points behind the Catalans.

    Here, we rate the players from both sides.

    VILLARREAL

    Asenjo 6: Made a pretty good save from Messi’s early free-kick and was then left largely unoccupied until the latter stages, when he could do nothing about either of Barca’s goals.

    Gaspar 5: The Villarreal skipper made some good attacking runs but was frequently tested by the dangerous surges of Alba, with his lack of pace exposed.

    Ruiz 5: An otherwise solid performance was spoiled by a horrendously misplaced ball out of defence straight to Busquets, who punished it fully with a through ball for Messi to score the second goal.

    Alvaro 7: The former Espanyol man did well in his physical battle with Suarez, sticking doggedly to his task and getting in the right place to make countless clearances and blocks.

    Costa 6: Did well on the right of Villarreal’s defence, but had little impact going forward.

    Trigueros 6: Couldn’t dictate the flow of the game as much as he would have liked, struggling to escape the attentions of Busquets, but sparked his team’s best move which finished with a rasping drive well saved by ter Stegen.

    Semedo 6: Solid enough in the centre of midfield during the first half but departed through injury shortly after the break.

    Rodri 6: Worked hard defensively to break up Barca’s possession on the edge of the box, keeping his use of possession simple and holding his position well.

    Soriano 7: Strong display, always looking to link midfield with attack. Tested ter Stegen with a first half volley and later curled a powerful shot narrowly wide. Sacrificed for defender Rukavina when Raba was sent off.

    Raba 6: The promising youngster delivered a great cross which nearly led to the opener and was playing well, but ruined his night after an hour by getting himself sent off for a reckless studs-up lunge on Sergio Busquets.

    Bakambu 5: Tried to use his pace and running power to trouble Barca’s back line, but was well marshalled by Pique and missed the assistance of his injured usual strike partner Carlos Bacca.

    Villareal try to contain Messi

    Villareal try to contain Messi

    SUBSTITUTES

    Castillejo 5: Talented winger appeared early in the second half but exerted little influence as Barca stepped up the pressure.

    Rukavina 5: Brought on to help shore up the home team defence but didn’t do enough to track the runs of Alba.

    BARCELONA

    Ter Stegen 7: Flawless, as he has been nearly every game this season. Made a good left-handed save to deny Soriano in the first half and dived full stretch to keep out Trigueros’s piledriver in the second.

    Roberto 6: Unfussy display from the utility man, who defended diligently but rarely ventured forward and instead stayed back to offer additional cover for Alba’s runs down the other flank.

    Pique 7: Strong in defence, enjoying the better of his personal tussle with Bakambu. Unlucky not to score when he crashed an early header from a corner against the crossbar.

    Vermaelen 7: No-nonsense and determined defensive display from the Belgian international, who is undoubtedly enjoying his best spell since joining Barca three and a half years ago.

    Alba 8: Overcame an early injury scare shoulder to deliver an excellent performance down the left, posing plenty of attacking threat. His understanding with Messi was particularly prominent, creating two good chances.

    Rakitic 6: Kept things simple of the right of midfield, a position which doesn’t allow him to play to his strengths, but one which he fills without complaint for the good of the team.

    Busquets 8: Outstanding in the centre of midfield, reading the game superbly and helping protect his back four. Capped a fine display by helping wrap up the points by releasing Messi for the second goal.

    Paulinho 5: Quiet game for the Brazilian, with the action largely passing him by until he was substituted for Vidal midway through the second half.

    Denis 5: Occasionally combined well with Alba but wasted some good positions with poor balls into the box. Replaced by Alacer after an hour.

    Messi 8: Predictably always looked the most likely source of a breakthrough. Had an early shot deflected wide, saw a free-kick well saved, curled a couple of shots just wide after combining well with Alba, and eventually sealed the points with the second goal.

    Suarez 6: A frustrated figure for much of the game, receiving little support and contributing little to the build-up play, but sparked into life near the end, hitting the post with his first sniff of goal and then netting a classy winner.

    Lionel Messi stars again

    Lionel Messi stars again

    SUBSTITUTES

    Alcacer 7: Made a decisive contribution with a lovely deft through ball for Suarez’s opening goal and worked hard in an unfamiliar position on the left of midfield.

    Vidal 6: Ran and ran down the right wing after coming off the bench, showing plenty of attacking intent and forcing a low save from Asenjo after running onto a pass from Messi.

    Gomes: Late sub for Busquets and had no time for much involvement.

    Recommended