Barcelona reclaimed top spot in the Spanish La Liga after easing to a 4-0 thrashing of 10-man Real Sociedad in front of home fans at the Estadio Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday night.
The hosts came into the tie knowing only a win would see them leapfrog title challengers Atletico Madrid to top spot, as the Rojiblancos had edged Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday.
Things went south for the visitors as early as the 17th minute after defender Aritz Elustondo received a straight red card for bringing down a goal-bound Dani Olmo.
The Catalans capitalised on their numerical advantage eight minutes later as Lamine Yamal beat his marker in the box before combining with Dani Olmo to pick out full-back Gerard Martin, who then finished at the back post to give the hosts the lead.
Hansi Flick’s men soon made it two four minutes later. Olmo’s strike from the edge of the box deflected home off Marc Casado who scored his first goal for the club.
Barcelona scored the third goal barely sixty seconds after Pedri had struck the woodwork with a long-range effort, as defender Ronald Araujo headed home an in-swinging corner-kick from Raphinha.
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski sealed the win in style in the 60th minute, as he stuck out a foot to direct Araujo’s shot past Sociedad goalkeeper, Alex Remiro.
The win extended Barca’s winning streak to six matches and puts Hansi Flick’s side one point above Atletico Madrid, while Real Sociedad stay ninth on the standings.