Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga with a dominant 4-0 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad.
The win came after Atletico Madrid had temporarily leapfrogged them with a 1-0 win over Athletic Club on Saturday.
Hansi Flick’s side quickly reclaimed their one-point lead and extended their winning streak to six games in the title race, with goals from Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo, and Robert Lewandowski.
Real Sociedad, who are currently in ninth place and set to face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Europa League on March 6, had the upper hand when the two sides met in November, winning 1-0.
However, they were always at a disadvantage in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys after defender Aritz Elustondo was sent off in the 17th minute for a foul on the goalbound Dani Olmo.
Barcelona took full advantage of the numerical superiority, scoring just eight minutes later.
Lamine Yamal lost his marker in the box before linking up with Olmo to set up Martin, who finished at the back post for his first Barcelona goal.
Four minutes later, Olmo was involved again, as his shot from the edge of the box deflected off Marc Casado and into the net, marking Casado’s first goal for Barcelona as well.
The hosts wasted no time in adding a third. Just a minute after Pedri hit the woodwork with a curling long-range shot, Araujo headed in a corner from Raphinha.
Lewandowski completed the rout on the hour mark, poking home from close range after Araujo’s shot was saved by Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro.
