Barcelona struck three unanswered second-half goals to record an emphatic 3-0 win over Villarreal in Sunday's La Liga clash at the Camp Nou.
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The hosts took a while to get into their groove, but 20 minutes in Luis Suarez's cross fell to Dani Alves, whose subsequent effort on goal was charged down by Jonathan dos Santos.
Just before the half-hour mark Alphonse Areola kept out Andres Iniesta's effort following a Blaugrana break, and at the other end Roberto Soldado was allowed enough space to let rip from 25 yards, the shot flying just wide.
Samu Castillejo was then played clean through on goal just before the break, but instead of lifting the ball over the advancing keeper to put the visitors ahead, he fired straight at Claudio Bravo to keep both sides goalless at half time.
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Barcelona were a different proposition in the second half and duly took the lead on the hour when Neymar collected Sergio Busquets's defence-splitting pass and slotted past Areola.
In the 70th minute the hosts doubled their advantage when Jaume Costa brought down Munir El Haddadi in the box, prompting the referee to award Barca a penalty, which Suarez confidently drilled home.
The win was sealed five minutes from time courtesy of a second from Neymar, who sealed the points from just inside the area after an audacious flick and volleyed finish on the turn.
Barcelona extend their lead at the top of La Liga to three points ahead of Real Madrid's trip to Sevilla on Sunday evening, while Villarreal remain fourth.
Giuseppe Labellarte
