Barcelona produced a scintillating performance to crush arch-rivals Real Madrid 5-0 and move two points clear at the top of La Liga on Monday.
In a festival atmosphere at Barca’s Nou Camp stadium, the home players entertained their fans with a breathtaking display of free-flowing football that left Real’s array of expensive talent chasing the ball for long periods.
Xavi and Pedro struck early to put Barca 2-0 up before David Villa scored in the 55th and 58th minutes to raise the noise levels to a deafening pitch.
Substitute Jeffren added a fifth in stoppage time and Real defender Sergio Ramos was sent off for a badly timed challenge on Lionel Messi at the death.
Rolling back the years
Barca were stroking the ball around for fun by the end and the crushing nature of their victory in Spain’s “Clasico” rolled back the years to Johan Cruyff’s all-conquering “Dream Team” of the 1990s.
It also put a severe dent in Real’s resurgence under new coach Jose Mourinho, a former assistant at Barca who had led his side into the match undefeated in all competitions.
“Today [Monday] Barca were far superior and enjoyed playing in its own style,” Villa said in a television interview.
“Madrid did not feel at ease and did not know how to, or could not I think, dominate the midfield which is the strength of our team,” the Spain striker added.
“We are two points clear, very happy, but we have to continue working as we are only in November and we need to carry on winning.”
Barca have 34 points from 13 of 38 matches, with Real on 32 and Villarreal in third on 27. — Reuters