A Robert Lewandowski hat-trick was enough to give Barcelona an outright win at Deportivo Alavés on Sunday and retain their place at the top of the La Liga table.
The legendary Polish striker headed in his first goal in the seventh minute, connecting with Raphinha’s free-kick, before the hosts were caught out again when the Brazilian winger squared for Lewandowski to touch down.
The 36-year-old’s hat-trick was completed just after the half-hour mark when he latched on to Eric Garcia’s pass and slid his shot into the far corner.
The victory means that Barça are three points ahead of their rivals, Real Madrid, at the top of the standings, and respond The Whites’ 2-0 victory over Villarreal Saturday night clinically.
Alavés thought they had pulled a goal back when Antonio Martínez headed home Nahuel Tenaglia’s cross, but the video assistant referee called for offside and the effort was disallowed.
Pedri could have made it 4-0 early in the second half when he appeared ready for a tackle from Raphinha, but the Spanish midfielder conspired to miss from point-blank range. Martinez hit the post early on for Alavés, who had another goal disallowed by VAR at the end for offside.
Barça He saw out the win in professional style, but manager Hansi Flick now has another injury to worry about after Ferran Torres was pulled off in the sixth minute. The ex-Manchester City winger was supposed to link up with the Spanish national team, but has already had to withdraw.
Flick is already without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Gavi and Marc Bernal and has some important games to prepare for after the international break in October.
Their first game back sees Barça entertain Sevilla before a Champions League confrontation with Bayern Munich and the first Clásico of the season against Madrid.
