Neymar double helps red-hot Barcelona to 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad

Neymar scored a brace as Barcelona moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga after yet another convincing victory - a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Luis Enrique’s red-hot side have now scored 14 goals in just three games after successive high scoring triumphs over Real Madrid and AS Roma respectively. The deadlock was broken on this occasion after just 22 minutes when Neymar smashed the ball into the back of the net from a Dani Alves low cross.

Alves was also the provider of Barcelona’s second goal when he found Luis Suarez with a deep cross and the Uruguayan finished with an acrobatic effort just three minutes before the half-time break. Barcelona extended their lead on 53 minutes when Neymar sealed a double after meeting a cross from Jeremy Mathieu.

It was a frustrating afternoon in front of goal for Lionel Messi but he finally got on the score-sheet - his first league strike in two months - in added time as he tapped in a Neymar pass to complete the rout.

Luis Enrique’s side move to 33 points with 11 wins from 13 games – seven points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid who host Espanyol at 17.15.

12’ - POST! Oh, so close - Suarez plays a delightful cross with the outside of his boot which finds the unmarked Iniesta whose header is denied by the woodwork.

22’ - GOAL - Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad! The deadlock is broken courtesy of a fine team move completed by Neymar. The Brazilian found space to meet Alves' low cross and he struck it high into the top of the net.

42’ - GOAL - Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad! The hosts double their advantage, Suarez grabbing the goal this time. He is late arriving into the penalty area to meet Alves' deep corner and he scores spectacularly with an acrobatic finish.

53’ - GOAL - Barcelona 3-0 Real Sociedad - Game, set and match. Iniesta finds the run of Mathieu who delivers a low cross to Neymar in a central position and the Brazilian coolly drills the ball into the back of the net for his second of the afternoon.

82’ – JUST WIDE! The energetic Bruma - just on as a substitute - fires just wide of the far post from the edge of the penalty area. That is the closest his side have come all afternoon.

86’ - CROSSBAR! Barcelona break immediately at the other end and are denied their fourth goal as Messi's curled effort smashes off the woodwork.

90’ - GOAL - Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad! Messi finally gets on the score-sheet as he taps in the back post from a Neymar cross. Simple goal but it's a first league goal in two months.

Messi played his 600th career match for Barcelona and Argentina. He has scored 470 goals so far for club and country.

Barcelona have won their last 18 La Liga games at Camp Nou against Real Sociedad, keeping 11 clean sheets in that streak.

MSN (Messi, Neymar, Suarez) have now scored 125 goals for Barcelona in all competitions in 2015.

Barcelona record yet another convincing victory. Prior to kick-off Luis Enrique stressed the importance of his side maintaining their tremendous run of form but this result was never really in doubt. His side have now scored 14 goals in three games and have opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the La Liga. Recent signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are finally available to play in January and it’s difficult to look past Barcelona securing back-to-back La Liga titles at this stage.

Neymar (Barcelona): Messi was rather wasteful in front of goal but, never mind, Neymar more than made up for his team mate’s off-day. He provided an assist and could easily have added to his brace. The 23-year-old is in the form of his life.

Barcelona: Bravo 7; Alves 8, Pique 7, Mascherano 7, Mathieu 8; Busquets 7, Rakitic 7, Iniesta 7; Neymar 9, Suarez 8, Messi 7. Subs: Bartra 6, Alba 5, Adriano 6.

Real Sociedad: Rulli 7; Aritz 6, Inigo 6, Mikel 6, Yuri 6; Pardo 6, Granero 6, Prieto 6; Canales 6, Agirretxe 6, Vela 7. Subs: Bruma 7, Ortega 6, Oyarzabal 6.