Barcelona won five consecutive top-flight home games without conceding for the first time since August 1997, as a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Spotify Camp Nou cut Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga to three points.
Xavi’s men were on their way to victory in the 12th minute thanks to Ousmane Dembélé. His initial curling strike was pushed away by Unai Simón, but Robert Lewandowski crossed the loose ball back into the Frenchman’s path to nod home his third league goal of the season.
Barcelona doubled their lead five minutes later when Sergi Roberto’s deflected strike beat Simón, with Dembélé turning provider at the end of a swift break.
Ernesto Valverde’s men were already facing a mountain to climb, and were forced into a change when the injured Ander Herrera was replaced by Dani García.
To add further salt to Bilbao’s gaping wounds, the Catalans added a third which saw Lewandowski at his majestic best inside the box.
Dembélé showed some superb footwork down the right flank to tee up the Poland captain, who brilliantly swivelled in the box and smashed his shot past Simón.
It was not all plain-sailing for the Blaugrana though, as Kopa Trophy winner Gavi was withdrawn following a hefty clash with García and Franck Kessié entered the fray.
Xavi’s men had further chances to kill off the contest after the break through Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, with the hosts keen not to rest on their laurels.
Dembélé got his third assist of the match when he picked out Torres for Barça’s fourth, as the former Manchester City man fired the ball through Simón’s legs.
Roberto was forced off injured late on in some pain as Barça ended the match with 10 men, to put a dampener on an otherwise fine night for the hosts.
The result secured back-to-back wins for Barcelona, and helped to lift the gloom in Catalonia following two demoralising matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
However, it was a miserable return to Barcelona for Valverde, whose side are now winless in four La Liga matches and Los Leones’ almost 20-year wait for an away victory against Barça continues.