No Messi no problem

Granada 1 Barcelona 4: Luis Suarez and Neymar on target as Luis Enrique’s side pile the pressure on Real Madrid

Lionel Messi was out due to a suspension whilst Gerard Pique was also rested as Andres Iniesta was dropped to the bench

BARCELONA managed to overcome Granada despite Luis Enrique's side being depleted with Lionel Messi being suspended and Gerard Pique being rested.

Luis Suarez scored the opening goal after chipping Guillermo Ochoa in the 44th minute but the hosts equalised through Jeremie Boga.

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Luis Suarez wheeled away to celebrate after finally breaking the deadlockCredit: Getty Images

Paco Alcacer gave the Catalan giants the lead once again after he dispatched a cool finish following an impressive assist from Suarez.


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In the final stages of the match Granada were reduced to ten men when Uche Agbo picked up a second yellow card.

And Barca pounced on their opponents and bagged two late goals when Ivan Rakitic's strike took a fortunate deflection, before Neymar netted the last goal.

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Barca are second on 66 points, two behind Real Madrid who beat Alaves 3-0 earlier on Sunday and have a game in hand.

Luis Enrique guided his side to victory without Lionel MessiCredit: EPA
Jeremie Boga celebrated after equalising for the hostsCredit: EPA

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The visitors dominated but took 44 minutes to open the scoring when Suarez calmly chipped Jordi Alba's sumptuous through ball over goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to finally get the better of the Mexican.

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Boga grabbed an equaliser five minutes after the break for second-bottom Granada and Luis Enrique's rotations suddenly looked misguided before Suarez got them out of jail.

He teed up Alcacer in the 64th and then provided a pass to Rakitic which was deflected in off Matthieu Saunier just after Granada's Uche Agbo was sent off for a second booking.

Neymar rounded off the victory with his milestone goal.

Paco Alcacer put Barcelona back in front in the second halfCredit: EPA
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Ivan Rakitic celebrated with his Barcelona team-mates after his deflected goalCredit: Getty Images
Neymar rounded off the match with a late goalCredit: Getty Images
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