Barcelona welcomed Eibar to Camp Nou on Sunday knowing that a victory would have seen them move level on points with La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The visitors took a 10th-minute lead courtesy of Borja Baston's sixth league goal of the season, but Luis Suarez restored parity in the 21st minute.
Suarez then sent Barcelona 2-1 ahead early in the second period, but the hosts were forced to play out for the final five minutes with 10 men following a red card for Javier Mascherano.
Luis Enrique's side made sure of the points late on, however, when Suarez added his third of the match.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Eibar. It has been a solid rather than spectacular start to the season for Barcelona, who currently sit third in the table, three points behind the leaders Real Madrid. As for Eibar, who were actually relegated from La Liga last season, they currently sit seventh in the table on 13 points. Let's hope for a good game!
This will be just the third meeting between these two teams in Spain's top flight. The previous two took place last season and it was Barcelona that emerged victorious in both games. On home soil, Barcelona recorded a 3-0 victory in October 2014, before winning 2-0 at Eibar back in March. Interestingly, this match is actually a meeting between the team with the highest average possession in La Liga this season – Barcelona, 64.1% and the lowest – Eibar, 40.8%. Nice little stat there!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba; Mascherano, Rakitic, Busquets; Neymar, Suarez, Sandro
EIBAR: To follow...
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Barcelona XI this afternoon, with Javier Mascherano once again starting in central midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. Andres Iniesta, Sergi Roberto and Lionel Messi remain on the sidelines, which means that there is a start in central defence for Marc Bartra. Sandro Ramirez is given the nod in the front three ahead of Munir El-Haddadi.
Still waiting on the Eibar XI, but the Barca team is in and we are now just under 45 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Barcelona. It is not exactly must-win for the home side, but they will be keen to move above Celta Vigo into second spot and indeed level on points with league leaders Real Madrid. Eibar, on the other hand, will enter the match full of confidence having gone unbeaten in their last four games in Spain's top flight. It should be a straightforward three points for the hosts.
Come on Eibar! Team? Barcelona opened their La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, before making it six points from an available six with a 1-0 victory over Malaga at the end of August. An away match against Atletico Madrid at the start of September was an early test of their credentials and a certain Lionel Messi scored the winner in a 2-1 victory. That was followed by a 4-1 win over Levante as the Catalan outfit become the early pace-setters due to a couple of Real Madrid draws.
There have been difficulties for Barcelona in recent weeks, however, with a 4-1 defeat at Celta Vigo towards the end of September showing their frailties at the back. They managed to recover with a 2-1 win over Las Palmas, but that victory came at a price as they lost Messi to a serious knee problem. They could not make it back-to-back wins, however, as they lost 2-1 at Sevilla before the international break. Two defeats from their opening seven games was hardly excellent form.
The Catalan outfit did return to winning ways in the league last time out, however, with Neymar scoring four times in a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano. Without Messi, the onus is on Neymar and indeed Luis Suarez to score the goals and that will again be the case in this match. In truth, if Barcelona are to retain their league title this season then these are the type of games they just have to win.
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba; Mascherano, Rakitic, Busquets; Neymar, Suarez, Sandro
EIBAR: Riesgo; Capa, Dos Santos, Pantic, Junca; Escalante, Garcia; Keko, Verdi, Inui; Baston
Eibar have finally provided their XI for this match. The visitors will be without the injured Ivan Ramis in Barcelona, which means that there is a start in central defence for Aleksandar Pantic. Keko, Simone Verdi and Japan international Taskashi Inui also all start for Eibar, while on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Borja Baston, who has scored five times in the league this season, is their sole striker.
Back to the build-up... Barcelona have also made a solid start to their Champions League campaign, picking up seven points from their three Group E fixtures thus far. They opened with a 1-1 draw in Roma, but have since beaten Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov to take control of the section. It will a big ask to repeat their treble heroics of last season, but it has been a solid start to the new campaign.
It always seems to be an important period of the season for Barcelona and that is again the case in the coming weeks. They open their Copa del Rey defence against Villanovense on Wednesday, before travelling to capital side Getafe in the league next weekend. They will then welcome Belarusians BATE Borisov in the Champions League, before facing Villarreal before the international break.
The small matter of the first El Clasico of the season will take place on November 21 in a match that could see the return of Messi. Matches against Real Madrid do not exactly decide the outcome of the title, but they are always so important. Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid will also be hoping to stay in touch with the two Spanish giants as the winter break approaches. The table is starting to take shape!
As for Eibar, they should be playing Segunda Division football this season after being relegated from Spain's top flight in the 2014-15 campaign. They were one of the surprise packages in the first half of the season as they recorded a host of surprise results, but they ultimately finished 18th in the table.
Eibar were given a pass back into La Liga, however, when Elche, who finished 13th, failed to make a series of repayments and were instead relegated to Spain's second tier. It was expected to be another difficult campaign for Eibar, but under new boss Jose Luis Mendilibar, they have made an impressive start this term – collecting 13 points from eight matches to sit seventh in the table.
The Gunners opened their season with a 3-1 win at Granada, before beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to move onto six points for the season. A goalless draw against Malaga then made it three games unbeaten, but they did lose 2-0 at home to Atletico Madrid on September 19. That, however, remains their only defeat of the season to date. Some scenes from Camp Nou as we approach kickoff...
Since losing to Atletico, Eibar have drawn with Levante, Celta Vigo and Sevilla, and also won 2-0 at struggling Las Palmas. The goals have also flowed in the early part of the campaign, with 11 strikes in eight games, while they have only conceded seven times, which is four fewer than Barcelona. One defeat from eight league fixtures is good form for any team at any level of football, but it is even more impressive considering the problems that Eibar had in the second half of last season.
Eibar will also enter this match on a five-game run without a defeat away from home in La Liga, which is their best-ever record in Spain's top flight. They have also scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season – four – which suggests that Barcelona will need to concentrate from the first whistle. Barcelona are of course the favourites for this match, but it is a free pass for Eibar.
PREDICTION! I cannot see Barcelona blowing Eibar away here, which might have been the case last season, but I am finding it difficult to predict anything other than a home win. It is a game that the Catalans should win with few problems and I think it will be a fairly routine 2-0 success.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes in Barcelona. Can Eibar upset the form book here? They are unquestionably the underdogs, but the Catalan giants are struggling to hit top form in the early part of the campaign. The hosts kick things off in Barcelona...
... there are no Eibar fans inside the stadium this evening in what is a protest against their treatment in the corresponding game last season. As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Rakitic already trying to thread a low pass into the run of Neymar.
SAVE! The game's first attempt on target comes from Eibar as Capa hammers one towards the bottom corner, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. The visitors look full of energy this evening!
Suarez goes for the spectacular down the other end after a deep cross from Alves, but his effort was always wide of Riesgo's post. Plenty of movement on display from both sides in the early minutes.
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium this evening it must be said. The team will need to raise the volume with their performance. Neymar has been Barcelona's biggest threat in the opening seven minutes, but Eibar, who have just been penalised for handball, have been pretty comfortable.
Half-chance for Barcelona as a flick from Pique comes close to landing at the feet of Sandro, but the striker could not make proper contact and it goes behind for a goal kick. Eight played, still level.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Eibar (Baston)
Oh my word! Eibar lead at Camp Nou as a quick counter attack leads to Baston sweeping the ball into the bottom corner after Bravo had saved from Keko. It is poor defending from the Catalan side, with their two centre-backs splitting and not dealing with the initial through pass. Silence inside the stadium!
Eibar have come to play this evening and Barcelona do not look comfortable at the back. Down the other end, Suarez and Neymar close on a loose pass, but Escalante sweeps back to his goalkeeper.
Barcelona have just managed to settle with the ball following that mad couple of minutes, but Eibar look capable of doing some more damage on the counter attack. The hosts will need their supporters to remain with them, but there are already some whistles as Messi looks on from the directors' box.
Bartra has a free header inside the Eibar box, but his effort was never troubling Riesgo.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, with a couple of low crosses from Sandro failing to find a teammate. Down the other end, Keko is causing Barcelona problems with his pace and movement. At the moment, the visitors are full of confidence in this game.
PENALTY SHOUT! Neymar goes flying to the ground inside the Eibar box under contact from Capa, but the referee is not interested. It was a clumsy challenge, but not a spot kick for me.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Eibar (Suarez)
Normal service is resumed at Camp Nou as Suarez hammers a header past Riesgo after meeting a super first-time cross from Sandro. That is the quality that the Catalan giants posses in abundance.
Eibar just need to stay in touch in the next five minutes or so, because Barcelona are now moving the ball quickly across the pitch. It has been a wonderful 24 minutes of football in this La Liga clash.
Riesgo gets down to save from Rakitic as Barcelona continue to press forward.
Inui breaks forward for Eibar as the visitors continue to cause problems of their own, but Rakitic is back performing his defence work and the danger is cleared. No real chances since Barcelona resorted parity, but I would be surprised if we did not see any more goals in this open contest!
Possession football from Barcelona as they continue to move the ball across the pitch, but Eibar are closing the space and making it difficult for the hosts to make serious ground. Really good battle.
Super goalkeeping from Riesgo as the Eibar stopper comes a long way to head clear just when Alves was threatening to break into the penalty box. Keko, meanwhile, remains a bright spark for the visitors and good work from the Spaniard sets up Verdi, but his curling effort is wide of the post.
Only two of this Eibar XI were at the club last season, which is an indication of the type of change that has occurred at the Spanish team. Barcelona are moving the ball pretty well in the middle of the park, but are finding it difficult to make serious in-roads. Still 1-1 with 34 minutes on the clock.
Alves in particular is missing that link with Messi, with the Brazilian aimlessly crossing into the box. The hosts have a half-chance as Busquets sets up Sandro, but his effort is wide of the post.
Japan international Inui has been nice and bright for Eibar in this first period, with the midfielder dragging Alves into a wide position and stopping the Brazilian from driving forward on too many occasions. Eibar remain solid at the back with everything that is coming into their own box.
OFF-THE-LINE! Eibar come close to making it 2-1 after excellent running from Baston brings a shooting chance for Keko, but his goal-bound effort is cleared off-the-line by Bartra! Wow!
Controversial...
Alves fires wide of the post as Eibar deal with another period of pressure. Neymar is next to carry the fight as he races to the edge of the box before going down, but the referee says no thank you.
Now Barcelona do win a free kick outside the box as Suarez is felled by Capa...
... Neymar strikes towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always wide of the post.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Eibar
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Eibar took the lead in the 10th minute courtesy of a super finish from Baston, but Suarez resorted parity 11 minutes later. The visitors are well worth their point at this stage of the match, that is for sure.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 74%, while they have had seven attempts, two of which have been on target. As for Eibar, they have hit the target four times, which is an indication of their threat in the final third. There has not been a single yellow card, meanwhile.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona do not exactly have a whole host of attacking players on their bench this evening due to their injury crisis in the final third, but Munir El-Haddadi and Adriano are among those available for Luis Enrique. As for Eibar, the likes of Berjon, Ekiza and Eddy are in reserve at Camp Nou.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Barcelona overcome this energetic and classy Eibar outfit? It is the visitors that restart proceedings here...
... EIBAR SUB! Eibar have made a change at the break with Eddy replacing Garcia.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening minutes of this second period, but Eibar's ability on the counter, especially through Keko, has been shown.
Half-chance for Eibar as Baston, who opened the scoring, meets a deep free kick inside the Barcelona box, but his tame header is straight into the arms of Bravo. Needed better contact there!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Eibar (Suarez)
Barcelona take the lead for the first time in this match as Neymar dances into the Eibar box before setting up Suarez, who drives his effort into the bottom corner. Wonderful finish from the striker!
BOOKING! Rakitic (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Verdi.
Eibar are far from out of this game and they are still committing plenty of numbers forward when they have the chance to break. Verdi, who has been excellent, has taken a knock, however, and is currently on the deck. The challenge has brought some bad feeling between both sets of players...
... EIBAR SUB! Eibar are quick to make the change as Enrich replaces Verdi.
BARCA SUBS! Munir and Mathieu replace Sandro and Bartra.
Barcelona want a penalty as Neymar goes down inside the Eibar box, but play continues and Suarez's goal-bound effort is saved by Riesgo. Little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining here.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match and Eibar are still more than prepared to commit four, five players each time they break forward. That should leave space for Barcelona's forward players to drive forward, but the hosts still have plenty of work to do in this one.
BOOKING! Escalante (Eibar) is booked for a poor challenge on Neymar.
Barcelona have just started to take control of this game, with Eibar now struggling to get their legs going in defensive areas. A super exchange between Busquets and Rakitic almost sets up a hat-trick chance for Suarez, but the danger is scrambled clear. Still 2-1 to the hosts with 63 minutes played.
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Capa brings Neymar to the ground...
... Neymar takes the resulting set piece, but his effort smashes into the wall.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but it is Barcelona that are looking the most likely to add to the scoring, while the free-kick count is also rising here.
BOOKING! Juanca (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Alves.
Eibar are starting to tire in this match and it is allowing Barcelona to take control of the contest. Neymar, who has been very good in this second period, is causing all sorts of problems coming in from the left, while Suarez is chasing that hat-trick chance. Little over 20 minutes remaining here.
The end-to-end period of the match continues and Eibar seem to have found a second wind after seemingly running out of steam. You do sense that there still might be something in this for them.
Shooting chance for Eddy as the ball bounces to the Eibar midfielder outside the box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. Down the other end, Suarez fires over with Riesgo off his line.
Barcelona have another free kick in a dangerous area as Eddy fells Neymar...
... CLOSE! Rakitic's effort almost finds the top corner, but ultimately is just wide.
This has been far from convincing for Barcelona once again, but they are heading for three points as things stand. That would move them level on points with the league leaders Real Madrid, which is an indication of the type of season it has been thus far. Celta Vigo would drop to third if Barcelona win.
EIBAR SUB! Third and final Eibar sub as Berjon replaces Inui.
Barcelona still lead, but they are living on egg shells at the moment as Eddy delivers a low cross into the home side's box, which comes close to finding Baston. The referee then stops the play to have a word with the Eibar boss, who had said something to the fourth official following another foul.
BOOKING! Capa (Eibar) is booked for a late challenge on Capa.
RED CARD! MASCHERANO!
Barca have been reduced to 10 men here as Mascherano is sent from the field for having too much to say to the referee. No idea what was said, but the official could not get the card out quick enough!
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Eibar (Suarez, hat-trick)
Busy couple of minutes! Barcelona are down to 10, but they have surely secured all the points now as Suarez fires one into the bottom corner to make it three goals for the evening. Super finish there!
Eibar still flood forward, but they are going to lose this game. The visitors have been excellent this evening and more performances of this ilk will stand them in good stead for the season.
Eibar might have to finish this game with 10 as Dos Santos leaves the field with a damaged rib...
... the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Berjon.
BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is now booked for clashing with Capa.
BOOKING! Capa (Eibar) is also booked in the same incident.
BOOKING! Yellows galore as Eddy (Eibar) is booked for a lunge on Busquets.
Suarez is denied a fourth by Riesgo as Barcelona create one more chance.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-1 Eibar
So there we have it. Barcelona move level on points with the league leaders Real Madrid as Suarez scores a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Eibar. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Camp Nou and be sure to remain with us for Atletico Madrid versus Valencia, which kicks off in about 20 minutes!
