Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Sociedad Deportiva Eibar 3-1 on Sunday, joining Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Eibar surprised early at the Camp Nou with a goal by striker Borja Baston in the 10th minute, but Suarez helped the defending champions rally with goals in the 21st, 48th and 85th minutes.
Barcelona played the final minutes with 10 men after Javier Mascherano was sent off with a straight red card.
Photo: Reuters
Barcelona and Real Madrid have 21 points each, but Madrid remained ahead on goal-difference after defeating fourth-placed RC Celta de Vigo 3-1 on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid moved to third by beating Valencia 2-1 on Sunday with goals by Jackson Martinez in the 32nd minute and Yannick Carrasco in the 40th at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid.
Paco Alcacer scored Valencia’s goal by converting a penalty in the 72nd minute.
Barcelona struggled to take control of the match at the Camp Nou and it was the visitors who created many of the dangerous scoring opportunities.
The Basque club took the lead after a quick counterattack when Baston scored with a shot from outside the penalty area that Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo could not keep out.
Suarez equalized with a header from close range after a pass by Sandro, who appeared to be offside when he received a cross inside the area.
The Uruguay international added to the lead with a low shot from near the penalty spot after a nice run by Neymar and closed the scoring with another low strike from inside the area after another setup by Neymar.
“We’ve won a very complicated match and I’m glad that I could help with important goals,” Suarez said.
On the one-year anniversary of his first game for Barcelona, Suarez took his tally to 10 goals this season. He has seven in the league, only one less than Neymar.
“We know the importance of Luis [Suarez],” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. “What he gives you is invaluable.”
Barcelona, still without the injured Lionel Messi, had lost two of their previous four league games. They also had to rally from a goal down in their previous home match, a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
Eibar were unbeaten in four matches entering the clash against the defending champions. they dropped to seventh place following the loss.
Mascherano was sent off in the 83rd minute after complaining to the officials.
Earlier on Sunday, fifth-placed Villarreal missed a chance to stay near the leaders after a 0-0 draw at newcomers UD Las Palmas, while Real Sociedad defeated hosts Levante UD 4-0, including a pair of goals for forward Carlos Vela.
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