Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick in the second half steered FC Barcelona to a 4-2 victory over a ten-men Valencia CF on Monday evening.
Having confirmed he will stay on beyond this season, Barca manager Xavi Hernandez highlighted a single change in Fermin Lopez for the injured Frenkie de Jong after the El Clasico defeat.
Barca were a tad unfortunate not to trail minutes in as a route-one by Giorgi Mamardashvilli led Peter Gonzalez to get in-behind and run clear only to go well off target.
Fermin showed up well in the opening exchanges and made the breakthrough when he latched onto Raphinha’s surging cross to finish from close-range.
Los Che hit back after seven minutes when Hugo Duro pushed high to close down an advanced Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to meet a gaping goal and made the easiest of finishes.
The travelling chargers were ahead for the first time in proceedings as Ronald Araujo clattered into Peter to concede a penalty and Pepelu tucked away.
Mamardashvilli produced a rush of blood to the head moment in added time and paid the price after he handled a snap shot from Lamine Yamal and were dismissed following a pitch-side review.
Barcelona made a double switch at halftime and brought on Inigo Martinez for Pau Cubarsi as well as Sergi Roberto in place of Andreas Christensen.
Polish international Robert Lewandowski got back amongst the goals minutes after halftime when he sneaked in at the near post to nod in Ilkay Gundogan’s corner.
The host, who looked to regain second spot were on the up past the opening quarter of the half and were denied the lead as Jaume Domenech produced a superb save to keep out Araujo’s header.
Barca did go back ahead five minutes before time when Lewandowski completed a double through another headed finish following a high ball in the box.
Lewandowski lighted up the venue once more in added time as he lined-up to take a free-kick outside the area and curled in the near post.
The win propelled the Blaugrana back to second-place on the table, with Los Che’s ambitions for a European slot hanging by a thread.
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