Neymar News

Messi, Suarez and Neymar now have a combined 102 goals between them in all competitions this season after Messi and Suarez each scored twice, whilst Neymar and Xavi also found the net to move the Catalans five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Madrid: Barcelona boss Luis Enrique believes his side is impossible to contain when their star attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are as efficient in front of goal as they were in Tuesday's 6-0 hammering of Getafe.

The three now have a combined 102 goals between them in all competitions this season after Messi and Suarez each scored twice, whilst Neymar and Xavi also found the net to move the Catalans five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

"It is another day to congratulate the team because these types of games can easily become difficult and we needed to start in the way we did today.

"Today there were many of the circumstances that make the team practically unstoppable.

"We had a number of chances and almost all the goals are placed right in the corner.

"I don't remember a Barca match or that of another team with the effectiveness in front of goal we showed today. There were so many goals with such precision."

Madrid can move back to within two points of the Catalans with victory over Almeria on Wednesday.

However, Los Blancos are powerless to stop Barca claiming a fifth title in seven years should they win their remaining four games against Cordoba, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo la Coruna.

And Enrique again insisted complacency won't affect his side despite having on paper an easier run-in that Madrid, who are still to face Sevilla and Valencia.

"We won't get complacent, we know that we depend on ourselves against a great rival like Real Madrid that will fight for the title until the end. We need to continue so that things continue to go as they have done until now and be very concentrated.

"I believe in Barca, which is the only thing I can control. It is normal that I also believe in Madrid's opponents.

"I think the final games of the season will be demanding for everyone and there could be surprises."

All three were on target inside 28 minutes as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before teeing up Luis Suarez to volley home and Neymar was left with the simple task of registering the 100th goal between the trio from Suarez's pass.

Barcelona dominated from the off and two goals in eight minutes sealed the win as Neymar and Lionel Messi rounded off excellent team moves.

Madrid: Neymar and Lionel Messi were on target as Barcelona produced a sensational first-half performance to take a huge step towards the La Liga title with a 2-0 win at local rivals Espanyol on Saturday.

The visitors dominated from the off and two goals in eight minutes sealed the win as Neymar and Messi rounded off excellent team moves.

Barca were reduced to 10 men early in the second period as Jordi Alba was given his marching orders for taking his protestations towards referee Mateu Lahoz too far, but Luis Enrique's men held on comfortably and could have even added to their lead had Neymar not blazed a glorious chance over 25 minutes from time.

Victory takes Barca four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table with Los Blancos not in action until Sunday when they travel to Celta Vigo.

"I think we played the best first-half of the season in terms of dominating all facets of the game. We had the ball in their half, moved the ball well, created chances and pressed well after losing the ball," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.

"In the second-half I thought we played very well too despite the fact the sending-off could have created doubts or made us struggle a bit more."

Espanyol 'keeper Kiko Casilla kept his side in the game early on as he made two great saves to deny Neymar and Luis Suarez at the end of moves started by fine crossfield passes by Messi.

The Argentine then fed Neymar with a fine ball over the top, but there was just too much purchase on the Brazilian's finish as it looped over Casilla and over the bar.

There was nothing Casilla could do to prevent Neymar opening the scoring on 17 minutes as another stunning pass from Messi fed Alba on the left and his cross was dummied by Suarez to allow Neymar the simplest of finishes.

Barca doubled their advantage eight minutes later in controversial circumstances as Andres Iniesta's pass found Suarez in an offside position, but the flag wasn't raised and he picked out Messi at the back post, who squeezed the ball past Casilla at his near post.

That goal took Messi, Neymar and Suarez's combined tally for the season to 97 and they could even have reached a century on the day had their finishing been more precise.

Casilla made two more terrific saves to deny Neymar after good work from Suarez just before and after the break.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men as Alba was sent-off in innocuous circumstances for his protestations towards the referee after he awarded Espanyol a goal-kick.

Barcelona still enjoyed the best of the chances with 10 men as Messi saw a shot deflected onto the post before Neymar blazed over with the goal at his mercy from Suarez's unselfish cut-back.

Barca's fine day was rounded off when Xavi Hernandez replaced Iniesta for the final few minutes to make his 500th La Liga appearance.

And Lahoz balanced up the numbers on the field in stoppage time by remarkably also showing Hector Moreno two yellow cards in a matter of seconds for contesting a decision.

The National Court in Madrid ordered the trial of Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, his predecessor Sandro Rosell and the club as a defendant in its own right over alleged tax fraud linked to the signing of star striker Neymar.