Fantastic four keeps Lionel Messi’s Barcelona on top of Primera Liga

Lionel Messi and Neymar in brilliant form as the reigning Primera Liga champions thrash Levante. Andy Mitten reports from Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi, left, scored twice and Neymar once as Barcelona beat Levante at Camp Nou on Sunday night. Lluis Gene / AFP

BARCELONA // Primera Liga leaders Barcelona retained their 100 per cent league record after beating Levante 4-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday. All five goals came in the second half, though Lionel Messi missed out on a hat-trick by missing one of two penalties.

Home fans held up a ‘We’re with Pique’ flag before kick-off to show support to their defender who was criticised across Spain for perceived anti-Spanish and anti-Madrid comments. He will find agreement for such notions in Camp Nou, especially if he continues to say that he hopes Real Madrid lose every game.

Pique has been suspended for Barca’s league games so far, but he will return for the midweek match at Celta Vigo. With that in mind, coach Luis Enrique rested Luis Suarez, who had played every minute of every competitive game so far.

Enrique also rested Andres Iniesta, who has played the second-most minutes. The changes meant rare starts for striker Munir El Haddadi and midfielder Sandro, but they were not limited to personnel. With an unusual formation, the home side started with three defenders and four forwards.

Enrique had spoken of Levante getting as many players behind the ball as possible, but his shift in tactics did not work in a disjointed first half when Barca were profligate in possession and missed the intelligence of Suarez. The breakthrough came after 50 minutes, when Messi looped a cross into the box for defender Marc Bartra to control and side foot home.

The hosts made it 2-0 five minutes later, Neymar striking a Daniel Alves cross through three defenders after goalkeeper Ruben Martinez had pushed it into his path. Like Bartra, the Brazilian held up Rafinha’s shirt in support of the midfielder who is expected to miss the majority of this season after rupturing his cruciate ligament against Roma in midweek.

The Catalans continued a goal every five minutes in the second half when Lionel Messi scored a 60th-minute penalty.

The ball was in the net five minutes later, but for Levante. It came when goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, starting in the absence of Claudio Bravo, failed to clear a cross which substitute Victor knocked into the German’s net. Ter Stegen has been criticised this season for errors, though he retains the confidence of his coach.

Barca received another penalty with 15 minutes to play when Messi was pulled down in the area. The captain cursed himself after he hit the spot kick over the bar. By that time, youth graduate Gerard Gumbau had replaced Busquets for his debut.

Barca’s fourth came in the 90th minute when Bartra won the ball in the right-back position before hitting a 25-yard pass to Messi. The Argentine dribbled past three defenders and hit a left-footed shot into the right-hand corner.

Elsewhere, Sporting Gijon picked up their first win of the season by seeing off local rivals Deportivo La Coruna 3-2.

Antonio Sanabria scored twice in the opening eight minutes to get the visitors off to a good start, but Deportivo fought their way back through goals by Juanfran and Luis Alberto, only for Alex Menendez to restore Sporting’s lead 11 minutes before the break.

Sevilla’s miserable start to the season continued as they were beaten 2-1 at home by high-flying Celta Vigo.

Nolito and Daniel Wass gave the visitors a two-goal cushion at half time, while Fernando Llorente scored a consolation goal early in the second half.

Villarreal beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1, and Rayo Vallecano won 1-0 at Las Palmas.

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