Barcelona welcomed Real Sociedad to the Camp Nou on Tuesday looking to continue their 100% start to the season.
The home side were 2-0 ahead inside eight minutes with goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi, before Sergio Busquets made it three after 23 minutes.
Barcelona continued to dominate in the second period, but Sociedad cut the deficit to 3-1 after 64 minutes when Alberto de la Bella scored from close range.
However, the scoring was not finished, with Marc Bartra making it 4-1 to the home side in the latter stages.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two La Liga rivals.
Match statistics:
Barcelona:
Shots: 16
On target: 8
Possession: 71%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 6
Sociedad:
Shots: 9
On target: 5
Possession: 29%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
There is not any possible situation where anything other than a comprehensive Barcelona win would have reflected the events at the Camp Nou. The Catalan outfit were stunning in the early stages as they moved into a two-goal lead, but they were guilty of missing chances in the second period. Sociedad certainly improved after the interval, but it was a case of too little too late for the Champions League participants.
Barcelona's performance
Had Barcelona continued their tempo from the first period into the second, they could have reached double figures this evening. It came as no surprise when they eased off in the latter stages, but the damage had already been done. They have drawn some criticism this season, but the league table shows them top with six wins from six matches. It was another incredible attacking performance from the Spanish champions.
Sociedad's performance
The only positive that Sociedad could take from this match is the fact that they ended a run of three matches without a goal. It might have been a different story had they taken a couple of opportunities in the early stages, but they caused their own problems with desperate defending. They certainly overachieved last season and now they have Champions League commitments to balance. It could be a difficult campaign for Sociedad.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Andres Iniesta: The Spaniard was not among the goals this evening, but he was in spectacular form in the middle of the park. His contract situation with the club shows no sign of ending, but he remains, alongside Messi, their most important player. Everything that the midfielder did at the Camp Nou radiated class.
Biggest gaffe
It would be no exaggeration to call Sociedad's defending in the first period appalling. In fact, there isn't a strong enough word that could be used to describe just how bad it was for a team that finished fourth last season. In fairness, they improved in the second half, but the damage had already been done in the early stages.
Referee performance
Jesus Gil had a successful 90 minutes of action this evening. He was sensitive to a couple of late challenges in the first period, but refused to look to his book despite calls from both sets of players. He was hardly seen throughout the evening, which is always a good sign for a referee. Neither manager will have had any complaints about his night's work.
What next?
Barcelona: The Catalan outfit will attempt to continue their winning run when they travel to Almeria this weekend.
Sociedad: Sociedad will attempt to pile more misery on struggling Sevilla when they welcome Unai Emery's side this weekend.
Matt Law
