Barcelona player ratings v Athletic Bilbao: Dembele and De Jong 9, Lewandowski 8

Barca run out 4-0 winners at Camp Nou to close gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to three points

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  BARCELONA: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 7. The German has not conceded a goal in five home league games, the best run since Pep Guardiola’s side of 2011. He’s also the first keeper to keep a clean sheet in nine of the first 11 La Liga games of a season – though a later error nearly changed that. He’s doing that in front of huge crowds – 84,817 against the Basques means Barca are the best supported club in the world so far this season. AP

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  Sergi Roberto – 7. Scored the second after 18, cutting in on the right after a one-two with Dembele. The ball deflected in. Played well, but hit the ground injured after 84 minutes and was carried off holding his shoulder having dislocated it. A sore absence. AP

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  Alejandro Balde – 8. Harshly felled by De Marcos after 15, for which the Basque was booked. Beautiful skill to backheel the ball through the legs of Inaki Williams when in a tight spot. Won every tackle. AFP

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  Jules Kounde – 7. Three games in succession as a central defender, he continues to settle in. He advanced further than his foil Eric Garcia, yet was also the last man back. Comfortable until he came off after an hour, with his side having done the hard work. "Kounde's level didn't surprise me,” said Xavi. “I insisted a lot on his signing because I already knew his level and I'm delighted with him. He's an example of a player, he's young, he wants to learn... he's a great signing.” AFP

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  Eric Garcia – 7. More touches than any other player on the pitch, he was central to starting Barcelona’s attacks. Booked. Slowly but surely things are looking up for him. EPA

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  Sergio Busquets – 7. Began the play which led to his side’s second against the team managed by Ernesto Valverde, the last manager to win the league for Barca. Booked. “In the last two games we have played very well, which raises the collective and individual level,” he said. “The more difficult it is for Xavi to choose, the better for the team." Getty

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  Pedri – 7. Got his studs to a Roberto cross to hit the post after 52. Always energetic. Needs to be at his best against Bayern on Wednesday, be on a winning side and hope that Inter drop points in their game. Getty

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  Gavi – 7. Hit the ground with a bang after smashing into Dani Garcia after 32 and, hurt, was substituted to a standing ovation. Early reports were that it was a hard blow but nothing which will keep him out against Bayern. EPA

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  Frenkie De Jong – 9. Hit beautiful cross-field passes into the vast spaces created by his teammates. Swept forward to set up Fati after 65. Reuters

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  Ousmane Dembele – 9. Flicked a gorgeous ball over the defence to Gavi after nine. Curled a shot which was saved by Simon on 11, then got above Yuri to head his side ahead on 12. Assisted Roberto for the second. And the third for Lewandowski after 21 minutes. Encouraged by his boss to take more players on, he may lose the ball and create ‘disorder’, but he was the most exciting player on the pitch. Outstanding. Reuters

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  Robert Lewandowski – 8. Stopped the ball and crossed it to Dembele to head Barca in front. Turned and smashed the third goal in with his left foot on 22. Now scored 17 goals in 15 games for his new club. Walked off to 85,000 singing his name after 63. A shame that he’s unlikely to feature in the latter stages of the Champions League. Getty

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  SUBS: Franck Kessie (Gavi 34’) – 7. Barca didn’t change shape with him on the field. Getty

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  Marcos Alonso (Kounde 63’) – 6. Steady. Reuters

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  Ansu Fati (Lewandowski 63’) – 6. Set up by De Jong two minutes after coming on. Getty

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  Ferran Torres (Pedri 63’) – 7. Swept the ball against the feet of Spain keeper Simon. After 73 he received a ball from Dembele and put it through the legs of Simon to make it 4-0. Slipped and appeared to hurt himself on 80. AFP

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  Pablo Torre (Dembele 76’) – 6. “It's not easy to join Barca, the minutes are very hard to come by,” the youngster said after, “but you have to keep working for it. On a day like this you especially remember your family and your friends". Getty

Ousmane Dembele scored and provided assists for Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres as Barcelona cruised past Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in La Liga on Sunday.

Barcelona remain second in the standings on 28 points, three behind leaders Real Madrid and five clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid.

The hosts scored three times in 10 minutes in the first half, starting with Dembele's towering header from close range in the 12th minute.

The French forward then put Roberto through with some brilliant one-touch build-up play in the 18th minute, with the Spanish full back's strike bouncing in off a defender past a helpless Unai Simon.

Four minutes later, Dembele ran down the right channel before crossing to Lewandowski who swivelled and finished with a powerful shot.

Barca took their foot off the gas after the break but there was still time for Dembele to deliver another assist less than 20 minutes before the end, playing the ball in from the left touchline for Torres to score from close range.

Assessing the performances at Camp Nou, Andy Mitten has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.