MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 01:30:35| >> :120:4537:4537:

Juan Mata lavishes praise on Neymar

Barcelona forward Neymar is "a top-class player", according to Manchester United's Juan Mata, who also paid tribute to the Brazilian's wonder goal against Villarreal.

Manchester United attacker Juan Mata has branded Neymar "a top-class player" after the Barcelona forward scored one of the goals of the season against Villarreal at the weekend.

Neymar, who opened the scoring in the La Liga clash, completed his brace late on with an audacious flick over the head of his marker, before finishing into the back of the net.

The Brazilian has drawn widespread praise for the goal and now Mata has had his say on the 23-year-old, who has netted 11 times in the league this term.

"On top of the table, Barcelona were successful in a complex game against Villarreal, a very competitive and talented side," Mata wrote in his blog. "Once again, Neymar showed how lethal he is. A top-class player. His second goal was a master stroke."

Mata, meanwhile, also scored at the weekend as Man United recorded a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

ID:256728: cacheID:256728:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1625:
Written by
Matt Law
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior gestures during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs UD Las Palmas at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 26, 2015
Read Next:
Enrique: 'Neymar is like Ronaldinho'
>
Read more about Juan Mata Neymar Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!