LUIS SUAREZ STARS AS BARCELONA CLOSE GAP ON REAL MADRID

Luis Suarez capped a fine week with another goal as Barcelona moved to within a point of Real Madrid with a 3-1 victory at Granada in La Liga.

Suarez, who struck twice in the midweek triumph over Manchester City in the Champions League, doubled Barca’s lead after Ivan Rakitic had earlier put them ahead.
Granada rallied and reduced the deficit through Fran Rico’s penalty, but Suarez helped restore the two-goal advantage by skipping past Oier before selflessly – and perhaps unnecessarily – passing to Lionel Messi for a simple tap-in.
The visitors poured forward in search of more goals as space began to appear, but Messi blew two huge openings and substitute Pedro misjudged a delicate chip as Granada escaped further damage.
Barcelona have mounted the perfect response since their shock 1-0 defeat at home to Malaga last weekend as they look to unsettle Real at the league summit. Carlo Ancelotti’s side welcome European hopefuls Villarreal to the Bernabeu on Sunday evening.

KEY MOMENTS
24' - AUDACIOUS! The ball spirals through the Granada sky towards Marquez, who sends an audacious header towards goal. Over. Just.
25' - GOAL! Granada 0-1 Barca. Suarez scuffs a cross along the six-yard box which Juan Cala inadvertently treads on. That allows Rakitic to swoop in... Barca lead!
36' - CHANCE! Marquez is fuming! The ball is perfectly sent into his path near the area, but the referee gets in his way. The Chilean blazes his awkward shot over the crossbar.
45+1' - MASSIVE CHANCE! The ball drops at the feet of Messi inside the six-yard box. Oier flings his limbs at the Argentine and is relieved to see the shot bounce off his leg and away from harm.
48' - GOAL! Granada 0-2 Barca. Suarez plays a one-two with Rakitic and pokes the return ball under Oier and over the line. Quality play.
53' - GOAL (PEN)! Granada 1-2 Barca. Marc Bartra puts in a ridiculously lazy challenge on Lass just inside the area and seems insulted when the referee points to the spot. Rico blasts past Bravo from 12 yards. Fine penalty. Maybe this one isn't over...
70' - GOAL! Granada 1-3 Barca. What on earth is Suarez doing? The rejuvenated forward skips past Oier but instead of passing into the empty net, he passes to Messi for a simple tap-in. Not sure I've ever seen selflessness on that level.
80' - CHANCE! Neymar attempts an unorthodox bicycle kick in the penalty area which runs through to Messi at the back stick... He's only gone and scuffed it wide.
83' - CHANCE! Messi blasts at Oier with a fair chunk of goal to aim at. It's not quite happened for him in front of goal today.
87' - ANOTHER CHANCE! Pedro drifts in behind the Granada backline and attempts to send a cute chip over Oier. He succeeds, but his effort lacks the power to reach the goal.

KEY STATS
Barcelona midfielders have assisted 21 times in total this season. The forwards have 40 assists in total.
Javier Mascherano has won his 100th Liga game today
Barcelona make it seven away wins on the bounce

TALKING POINT
Why did Suarez pass? It might be the most selfless act in sport this season. Suarez, faced with an empty net aside from a solitary disinterested defender, elected to find Messi rather than bag himself another goal from close range. Messi's goal tally continues to tick along, but Barca’s third goal was ALL about Suarez. Sorry, but it was ridiculous that he passed.

MAN OF THE MATCH
Luis Suarez (Barcelona): Still a waste of money? The Uruguayan, who was relatively subdued in the first half, came alive after the interval and buzzed around in a similar fashion to what we saw with regularity at Anfield. Not a bad time to hit form at all.

PLAYER RATINGS
Granada: Oier 7, Nyom 6, Babin 6, Juan Cala 5, Foulquier 6, Iturra 6, Fran Rico 6, Ibanez 6, Marquez 7, Lass 6, Cordoba 5. Subs: Rochina 6, Ajayi 6, Candeias 6.
Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Bartra, Mathieu, Alba, Rakitic, Mascherano, Xavi, Neymar, Messi, Suarez. Subs: Rafinha 7, Busquets 6, Pedro 6.

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