Barcelona have closed the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to one point by beating Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Camp Nou.
The hosts dominated from the first whistle, and they were ahead in just the 12th minute when Neymar slotted home from close range after Luis Suarez had failed to convert Lionel Messi's cross.
© Getty Images
Miguel Angel Moya was forced into a good save to keep out a powerful strike from Jordi Alba, but he could only watch on in hope when Neymar headed a great chance wide from Suarez's cross midway through the first half.
Messi took centre stage again to create Barcelona's second goal 10 minutes before the break as the Argentine took the ball into the box to find Suarez, who calmly finished to double his side's lead.
Despite offering very little to suggest that a comeback was a possibility, Atletico were given hope 12 minutes into the second half when Jesus Gamez won a penalty by going down after feeling a touch from Messi in the box.
Barcelona's players furiously protested the decision, but the referee ignored their claims as Mario Mandzukic drilled home the penalty.
The hosts looked less comfortable in possession with a slender lead, despite being given very little to be worried about by Atletico, who struggled to keep the pressure on after reducing the deficit.
© Getty Images
A breakaway led by Mandzukic almost created the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, but Claudio Bravo sprinted off his line to collect before substitute Fernando Torres could add the finishing touch.
Luis Enrique's side secured the victory in the 87th minute when Messi picked out the bottom corner at the second time of asking after missing Ivan Rakitic's cross at the first attempt.
Callum Mulvihill
