Neymar scored a brace in the second half, with his second goal a howler.
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Neymar’s goal completed the scoring in Barcelona’s win, which moved it three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings.
Neymar has been in stunning form of late, as he and Luis Suarez shoulder the responsibility of inspiring Barca in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi.
“Leo and Cristiano are in a tussle for that as they are both extraordinary players”, Neymar said.
Only Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid had conceded fewer league goals this season than Villarreal prior to kick-off, and Marcelino’s men showed plenty of gritty defensive organisation in the first half to keep Barca at bay.
After a flawless pass from Suarez, Neymar corrals the ball, kicks it over a defender’s head, spins around the defender and then buries a shot into the back of the net off the first touch from his self-pass.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, as Castillejo played a neat one-two with Suarez before seeing his effort blocked by Claudio Bravo.
A Luis Suarez low cross came into the box towards Neymar.
Barcelona avoided a potential banana skin as they beat an impressive Villarreal side 3-0 to go top of La Liga.
Neymar had earlier opened the scoring by slotting home on the hour mark as Barca took advantage of sloppy play by Villarreal, who had stifled the champions commendably up to that point.
And Suarez got in on the act shortly after. The second of Neymar’s goals was truly special, lifting the ball over a defender before volleying home.
While Villarreal came into the match hoping to end their 14 match winless streak against the Catalans, during which time they had lost 11 times and drawn thrice, they had to return home with the tally increasing to 15 winless games.
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The midfielder – who Luis Enrique last week described as “the best in the world” – brilliantly cut out a pass, as we are used to.
