Barcelona moved level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid following a 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday.
Luis Suarez and Neymar were once again among the goals for Luis Enrique's side, who have now won their last three games in Spain's top flight since losing at Sevilla.
As for capital side Getafe, they remain 13th in the table, four points off the relegation zone.
Here, Sports Mole has dissected the 90 minutes of action between the two teams.
Match statistics
GETAFE
Shots: 6
On target: 0
Possession: 29%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 9
BARCELONA
Shots: 13
On target: 6
Possession: 71%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 3
Was the result fair?
Even the most ardent of Getafe supporters would find it difficult to make a case for their team in Madrid. Barcelona were not quite at their free-flowing best for long spells, but still had far too much for the hosts. Statistics rarely paint a false picture, especially in football, and it is difficult to argue with the numbers. The hosts did not have a single attempt on target on their own patch and only had 29% of the possession, which is an indication of their struggles against Enrique's champions.
It was always going to be the type of match where the home team needed to open the scoring in order to stand a chance of securing a positive result, but it was Suarez that rounded off a super move in the 37th minute. Barcelona were not exactly under pressure in the early part of the second period, but Neymar's effort just before the hour gave them some breathing space. The scoreline suggests that it was a tough game for Barcelona in the capital, but to be honest, that was simply not the case.
Getafe's performance
Getafe had managed to put together a decent run of results before being thumped at Sevilla last weekend, but a home game against Barcelona is not quite the fixture that Fran Escriba would have had in mind to return to form. The hosts could have actually been behind inside 60 seconds in Madrid, but Munir El-Haddadi could not convert from close range. Getafe came close with an attempt of their own in the 13th minute, but Stefan Scepovic could only fire wide from inside the box.
Barcelona huffed and puffed for long stages of the first period, but an excellent team goal saw Suarez open the scoring. Both Santiago Vergini and Alexis could have done better from Getafe's point of view, but it was a lovely goal from the visitors. Escriba needed more from the likes of Pedro Leon and Pablo Sarabia as play developed, but both flattered to decisive as Barcelona continued to control the match. Getafe did play higher up the field in the early stages of the second half with a view to snatching a leveller, although it is difficult to say that they really unnerved the away side's back four.
Barcelona's second goal actually originated from a Getafe corner and that will not have pleased Escriba, who made all three of his permitted changes in the latter stages. Even when looking closely at the entire second period, there was not really a chance of note for the capital side, who lacked ideas and intensity in vital areas. Barcelona have not always had it their own way against Getafe in Madrid, but this was a comfortable three points for the visitors. Getafe's rise up the table seems to have stopped and they will now be looking over their shoulders at other results. Improvement is needed, that is for certain.
Barcelona's performance
Any team without Lionel Messi is going to be weaker, but when you have two superstars in the shape of Suarez and Neymar, winning games is never going to be too difficult. The two goal-scorers will ultimately receive the plaudits, but Sergi Roberto, who laid on both goals, had a wonderful game in the middle of the park. It was a game that the Catalan side dominated from minute one, when Munir missed a glorious chance to convert a Neymar cross with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Neymar continued to cause problems as the first period developed and it was not a surprise that the Brazilian was involved the opening goal. The 23-year-old burst down the left before finding Roberto, whose outrageous back-heel drifted into the path of Suarez and the forward cooly found the bottom corner. Their second was also a thing of beauty, with Roberto's super cross landing onto the boot of Neymar, who found the bottom corner with a volley. At 2-0, it was game, set and match.
Neymar and Jordi Alba both had chances to add to the scoring in the latter stages, but the visitors were more than happy to play the game out with their two-goal lead in tact. It did take a little while for Barcelona to find their tempo in the Spanish capital, but when it came, Getafe simply had no answer. There have been problems defensively in recent weeks, especially in the league, but this was much more like it from Enrique's side, who managed to record just their third clean sheet in the league this term. Add Messi into the equation and it really is a scary prospect for their challengers at both home and abroad.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Neymar: Roberto is extremely unlucky to miss out here after putting in a wonderful performance, but Neymar was just on another planet in Madrid. Getafe's back four were at sixes and sevens each time the Brazil captain had possession and he set up a number of chances in both halves. There was also the small matter of his excellent volley which made it 2-0 just before the hour. The 23-year-old had far too much for Getafe on the night and he is currently one of the form players in world football.
Biggest gaffe
As mentioned, Barcelona's second goal actually came from a Getafe corner after the home side had pressed a number of players forward. End-to-end football was a key feature of the second period, but at this level of football, it is difficult to understand how teams can be caught out so quickly on the counter, especially with more than 30 minutes remaining. Escriba will not have been pleased with his side's set-up from that particular set piece and it ended up costing them the chance to get back in the game.
Referee performance
Referee Juan Martinez had a largely uneventful night in Madrid. The Spaniard only issued three yellow cards during the entirety of the match and was always prepared to let the game flow in the correct areas. In truth, Martinez was not seen for long spells, which is often an indication of a good refereeing performance.
What next?
Getafe: The capital outfit are next in action away to Eibar on November 7.
Barcelona: Enrique's side will continue their Champions League Group E campaign at home to BATE Borisov on Wednesday. Their next league match is at home to Villarreal on November 8.
Matt Law
