Barcelona hammer Real Sociedad to go back to the top of LaLiga | OneFootball

Barcelona hammered Real Sociedad 4-0 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium to leapfrog Atlético de Madrid and return to the top of LaLiga.

Scorers: Martín 25', Casadó 29', Araújo 56', Lewandowski 60'

Having witnessed arch-rivals Real Madrid lose away at Real Betis on Saturday night, Barça knew a win would hand them a big advantage in the title race, and were given a huge boost after just 17 minutes.

Dani Olmo got in behind the Sociedad defence just past the halfway line, and Aritz Elustondo saw red for taking him down as the last man.

It took Hansi Flick's side little time making 11 vs 10 as hard as possible, with two goals before the half hour mark ending the game as a contest.

In the 25th minute, Gerard Martín finished at the back post after brilliant work from Lamine Yamal, and then four minutes later, Olmo's shot deflected off midfield partner Marc Casadó and into the net. It was both player's first goals for the club, and first in professional football.

As they did in the first half, Barça scored their two goals in the space of four second half minutes. Ronald Araújo first got in on the act with a close-range header after Sociedad failed to deal with Raphinha's corner.

Araújo was involved in Barça's fourth, his shot being guided into the net by Robert Lewandowski for his 34th goal of the season - no one in Europe's top five leagues has more.

With the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Benfica just three days away, Flick took off some of his big hitters as his side saw out the game with ease.

Barça are now one point clear of Atlético, and three ahead of Real, with 12 league games left.

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