A fantastic second-half performance saw Barcelona score three goals as they beat Sevilla at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening.

The result sees Xavi’s side take full advantage of Real Madrid’s shock loss at Mallorca earlier in the day as the Catalans stretched their lead to eight points at the summit of the La Liga standings.

Barcelona start strong

Barcelona were the better of the two sides right from kickoff as they pinned Sevilla down with their fluid passing and retaining possession at ease.

The La Liga leaders had to weather an early loss when Sergio Busquets had to leave the field due to injury and was replaced by Franck Kessie.

Ronald Araujo should have made it 1-0 for the hosts in the 17th minute but the Uruguayan defender failed to keep his free header on target to let the away side off the hook.

Nine minutes later, Robert Lewandowski’s effort from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Sevilla goalkeeper Bono to keep the match goalless.

Barcelona had the majority of the ball but failed to create any clear-cut chances from then on as both sides headed goalless into the tunnel at the end of the first half.

The game followed the same pattern after the resumption, Barcelona with the ball while Sevilla were happy to defend deep, soak the pressure, and hit on the counter.

Floodgates finally open

Jodi Alba finally opened the scoring on the night in the 58th minute after a wonderful interplay from Raphina and Kessie on the left flank. The full-back calmly slotted his effort into the far post to give his side a deserved 1-0 lead.

Thereafter, the floodgates opened and it was all one-way traffic. Gavi doubled the lead 12 minutes after Raphinha found the teenager with a cutback following some shambolic defending from the traveling side.

Alba then turned provider to Raphinha in the 79th minute as the Brazilian wrapped up all three points for his side following a low cross into the box from the left wing.

The Blaugrana moved to 53 points from 20 games and are yet to concede a league goal at home from open play this season having kept 15 clean sheets and conceding 7 goals overall.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Pressinphoto