With Barca comfortably in charge and the Real defence stretched, Neymar notched his second before Messi scored in the final moments, having hit the crossbar with a strike from the edge of the area minutes earlier.
Advertisement
Messi began his first game since picking up a knee-ligament injury in September and looked hungry to get back among the goals. “We try to do things well, we like to play, we feel a responsibility and we like to win”.
Barcelona could go seven points clear in the title race before their rivals, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, kick off their respective matches.
However, the opening goal arrived in the 21st minute as Dani Alves whipped in a low cross for Neymar, who emphatically finished into the the top corner to hand Barcelona the lead.
Last season, Barcelona repeated the feat of their 2008-09 counterparts by winning the Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble and Miramontes believes the current vintage could stand alongside Pep Guardiola’s great team.
The trip are likely to start together against Real Sociedad, while coach Luis Enrique has to make a decision over the fitness of Javier Mascherano and Sergio Roberto, who suffered knocks against Real Madrid and Roma respectively.
Coached by former Barcelona player and assistant manager Eusebio Sacristan, Sociedad tried to disrupt Barcelona’s possession by pressuring far up the pitch.
The strategy, however, only left Neymar, Suarez and Messi with more room to romp.
This time the Brazilian got right to the byline and scooped the ball up high towards the other side of the box, allowing Suarez to pick his spot and lash the ball past Rulli on the volley, scoring his 12th league goal of the season.
Barcelona were in total control and Andries Iniesta and Jeremy Mathieu set up Neymar for his second of the game.
Messi’s goal was just as easy when Neymar spotted him in injury time.
Real Sociedad find themselves at 14th in La Liga are looking to move away from the relegation zone which is only two points away from Sociedad.
Advertisement
Later, bottom side Malaga played Granada, Deportivo La Coruna visited Las Palmas, and Celta Vigo faced Sporting Gijon.
