BARCELONA closed the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought win over Granada.
By JACK OTWAY
Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves meant they were five points clear at the start of play.
But Barcelona responded emphatically to boost their hopes of retaining the title.
It took a while for the Catalan giants to get going in the absence of Lionel Messi.
Messi, suspended for Argentina after swearing at match officials, was banned for this clash after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season for Barcelona against Valencia before the international break.
However, Luis Suarez rose to the occasion to break the deadlock.
The former Liverpool striker ruthlessly finished off a slick move in the 44th minute, chipping goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Chelsea loanee Jeremie Boga levelled for Granada after the restart, coolly slotting home past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
But Barcelona retook the lead in the 64th minute.
Paco Alcacer, widely regarded as a flop since signing from Valencia, got on the scoresheet for just the third time in the league all season.
And the win was wrapped up when Granada's Matthieu Saunier put the ball past his own goalkeeper after Uche Henry Agbo had received his marching orders.
Neymar then added gloss to the scoreline in the 91st minute, tapping in from close range after Alcacer's pass to register a 100th Barcelona goal.
By JACK OTWAY
But Barcelona responded emphatically to boost their hopes of retaining the title.
It took a while for the Catalan giants to get going in the absence of Lionel Messi.
Messi, suspended for Argentina after swearing at match officials, was banned for this clash after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season for Barcelona against Valencia before the international break.
The former Liverpool striker ruthlessly finished off a slick move in the 44th minute, chipping goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Chelsea loanee Jeremie Boga levelled for Granada after the restart, coolly slotting home past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
But Barcelona retook the lead in the 64th minute.
Paco Alcacer, widely regarded as a flop since signing from Valencia, got on the scoresheet for just the third time in the league all season.
And the win was wrapped up when Granada's Matthieu Saunier put the ball past his own goalkeeper after Uche Henry Agbo had received his marching orders.
Neymar then added gloss to the scoreline in the 91st minute, tapping in from close range after Alcacer's pass to register a 100th Barcelona goal.
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