Lionel Messi shone as Barcelona thrashed La Liga
debutants Huesca 8-2 Sunday to move top of the table, while Real
Betis beat Sevilla 1-0 and Valencia drew 2-2 at Levante in two
hard-fought derbies.
Messi scored twice and created two goals in Barca's landslide
victory, although Barcelona endured a tough first half against Leo
Franco's visitors, who played with a willingness to get forward
rarely seen at Camp Nou.
Barcelona earned the biggest win of Valverde's time at the club since
he took over at the start of last season, despite falling behind
after just two minutes. Additionally, forward Luis Suarez netted his
first two goals of the season, ending doubts over his form.
"Little by little we're finding our rhythm," said Suarez. "We were
asleep a little bit at the beginning, although that forced us to
react.
"It's always important to be at the top. But things are just getting
started and we have to be prepared for what is to come."
Huesca took a shock lead with Cucho Hernandez turning in from close
range after Samuele Longo headed a cross into his path.
However, Messi levelled after 16 minutes after his brilliant turn
left Luisinho on the turf, with the Argentinian drilling home across
goal.
The Catalans quickly went ahead after Jorge Pulido turned Jordi
Alba's cross past his own goalkeeper from close range.
Ousmane Dembele's curling effort skipped off the crossbar as
Barcelona turned up the heat, with Luis Suarez netting his first of
the season after Alba teed him up for their third.
Shortly before half-time, Alex Gallar pulled one back for Huesca,
turning in from close range after Moi Gomez beat Samuel Umtiti to the
ball to cut it back into his path.
Barcelona came out strongly at the start of the second half and Messi
struck the crossbar before Dembele fired in the fourth after Suarez's
through-ball.
Ivan Rakitic's searing half-volley earned Barcelona's fifth, leaving
goalkeeper Axel Werner with no chance, and Messi tucked home number
six after an inch-perfect pass from Philippe Coutinho sent him racing
in on goal.
Messi turned provider for Barcelona's seventh, carefully playing in
Alba, who finished with aplomb, with Suarez winning and converting a
penalty in stoppage time to complete the rout.
At the Benito Villamarin, Betis legend Joaquin headed home an 80th
minute winner to earn his team their first league win at home in 12
years against bitter rivals Sevilla.
At 37 he became the oldest scorer in the derby, helping his team to a
deserved win against the 10 men of Sevilla, who saw Roque Mesa sent
off for two yellow cards.
Earlier Alaves came from behind to beat Espanyol 2-1 and Valencia's
stuttering start continued as they were held to a draw by an
impressive Levante side.
Marcelino's Valencia, back in the Champions League, have not won any
of their opening three matches, drawing with Atletico Madrid and
losing to Espanyol last weekend.
Roger Marti sent Levante ahead in the 13th minute after a brilliant
burst forward from Jose Morales opened up the pitch, but Denis
Cheryshev headed Valencia level three minutes later.
Marti struck again across the goalkeeper for a fine second in the
33rd but Dani Parejo coolly levelled from the penalty spot early in
the second half after Carlos Soler was fouled.
Coke was sent off with just under 15 minutes to go for Levante,
picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Ferran Torres, but the
visitors could not capitalize.
"I'm very happy, I feel good and have a lot of confidence," Marti
said. "We went out there to the death, we went in front twice and
they came back.
"That's the path. We reacted, overall a good performance. A point
against Valencia is important, considering how the game went."