Barcelona welcomed Granada to Camp Nou on Saturday knowing that three points would see them return to the top of the La Liga table.
The Catalan outfit dominated matters in the first period and led 2-0 at the break courtesy of a double from Lionel Messi.
Messi then completed his hat-trick just before the hour, before Neymar added a fourth late on as Luis Enrique's side ran out comfortable winners on home soil and returned to the summit ahead of Atletico Madrid.
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 Granada. The home side will enter this match in second position in the table, but victory here would move them above Atletico Madrid on the same number of games. As for Granada, it has been a difficult season to date, but they were 2-1 winners over Sevilla last weekend, which moved them out of the bottom three in Spain's top flight. Let's hope for a good game of football here!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both sides were in Copa del Rey action during the week so there are changes to both XIs here...
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Rakitic, Turan, Roberto; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
GRANADA: Andres; Mendez, Lomban, Doria, Biraghi; Krhin, Perez; Rochina, Agbo, Success; Penaranda
So there we have it. The big news in the Barcelona team is that there are league debuts for both Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal. The duo, who were only cleared to represent the Catalan club earlier this month, both featured in the Copa del Rey during the week, but the pair will feature for Barcelona in the league for the first time here. Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves have all dropped out of the side, allowing Sergi Roberto to start in the middle of the park. The front three are unchanged!
Granada, meanwhile, will seemingly operate in a 4-2-3-1 formation this afternoon, with Isaac Success and Ruben Rochina expected to play either side of the lone striker Adalberto Penaranda. Javi Marquez and Youssef El-Arabi have both dropped to the bench, but Uche Agbo is selected.
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now just 20 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Barcelona. As mentioned, both of these teams were in Copa del Rey action during the week – Barcelona were 4-1 winners over close rivals Espanyol in the first leg of their last-16 clash, but Granada were thumped 4-0 at Gary Neville's Valencia. It is back to the bread and butter of the league this afternoon and both have different objectives entering this match, that is for sure.
Barcelona, who have won 11 of their last 12 league games against Granada, losing just once in the process, will enter the match in second position in the table – two points behind the leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played one game more. The Catalan outfit were held to a 0-0 draw in the league at Espanyol last weekend, but would return to the summit with all three points here. When the two sides met at Camp Nou last season, Barcelona recorded a thumping 6-0 win.
Entering Week 19, Barcelona have the third-best defensive record in the league this season, but they have scored seven fewer than Real Madrid, which is incredible when considering the form that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have been in this term. Of their 17 league games, Luis Enrique's side have won 12, drawn three and lost two (away to Celta Vigo and away to Sevilla).
After this match, Barcelona will travel to Espanyol for the second leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey clash, before welcoming an improving Athletic Bilbao in the league next weekend. They will then travel to Malaga, before hosting Atletico Madrid at the end of the month. It is a vital period of the season for the Catalan side, with the Champions League knockout stages also just around the corner.
As for Granada, they will enter the match in 17th position in the table. A 2-1 win over Sevilla last weekend allowed the Andalusian side to move out of the bottom three, but they are just two points clear of 18th-place Sporting Gijon. Rayo Vallecano and Levante are the other two teams currently in the relegation zone, but only Levante (11 points) are in danger of being cut adrift as things stand. It is shaping up to be another very interesting battle at the bottom of the table.
Granada have struggled defensively this season, with only Rayo Vallecano conceding more after 18 matches. They have found the back of the net on 20 occasions, however, which is not a particularly strong record, but it is far from the worst in the division. It is a big ask for the visitors in this game, however, having never recorded a league win at Camp Nou. Not the best omen!
Jose Ramon Sandoval's team have also only won one of their last eight away games in the league and it is shaping up to be a battle to remain in the division this term. El Grana are currently playing their fifth straight season of La Liga football, but they survived by the skin of their teeth last season (17th) and have not finished higher than 15th since returning to the top flight in 2011-12.
PREDICTION! Comfortable home win for me. Granada have a lot of talented players in the final third of the field, but I worry about them at the back, especially with Messi, Suarez and Neymar all in such wonderful form. I think this will be a very tough game for the visitors. Home win, 4-0.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Barcelona return to the top of the table? The hosts kick things off at Camp Nou here...
... far from a full stadium this afternoon, but there is a good atmosphere. It is actually a lovely sunny day in Barcelona, but there is a bit of a chill, for Spain anyway. Not quite Manchester. Anyway, as expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early moments here.
Rochina has the first shot of the match, but his effort was always rising high and wide. Barcelona break down the other end moments later, but Rakitic's strike, like Rochina's, was always wide.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Alba has the ball in the back of the net for Barcelona, but the left-back was just offside when the pass from Messi was made. Super finish from the defender!
Granada are showing plenty of intent going forward, but that is inviting Barcelona forward and the likes of Messi and Suarez do not need a second invitation. Indeed, Messi finds Suarez with a super pass, but Fernandez comes into a wide area to make a smart save. Plenty happening here!
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Granada (Messi)
It had been coming. Barcelona take the lead in the eighth minute as Turan finds space in a wide area before delivering a super pass into Messi and the Argentine finishes from inside the box.
There was a hint of offside about Messi's goal, but the Argentine looked just about level and the pass from Turan was wonderful. Granada would have wanted to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without conceding, but they are now staring at the possibility of a pretty heavy defeat.
The fact that Granada are so willing to break forward suggests that there will be goals this afternoon, with Success and Rochina very advanced for the away side. Agbo battles for possession outside the Barcelona box, but Roberto is on hand to put out the fire and regain the ball.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Turan to net on his league debut for Barcelona, but the Turkish international, who had been put through on goal, is denied by a last-ditch challenge by Doria. That is a super tackle from the centre-back. Turan just did not have the pace!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Granada (Messi)
Game over. Barcelona have their second of the match as Neymar finds Suarez, who in turn slides a pass into Messi and the Argentine nets from a wide angle. Simple goal and 2-0 to the hosts.
It is unfortunate for the neutral, but this game is over as a contest and we have only just started. Neymar bursts through on goal as the home side look for a third, but the Brazilian is just denied at the vital moment. Sandoval is standing on the touchline wondering what on earth he can do here.
Neymar is running riot at the moment as he continues to beat the offside trap, but the attacker just takes the ball too wide and his cross for Suarez is too strong. Turan is breaking forward from midfield and looks right at home in this Barcelona XI. It is like a training match in Barcelona.
Success is providing a decent option for Granada in the final third, but the service towards the number 11 just has not been good enough. It is backs-against-the-wall for the away team here.
It has been the Messi show here...
Granada work the ball into the Barcelona box after nice football from Biraghi and Success, but moments later, the home side are down the other end and come close with Messi, who is just denied by a last-ditch challenge. The pace in which Barcelona can break is just staggering!
Success carries the ball out of defence for Granada, but his pass is too strong for Ruben Perez and Barcelona regain possession. A third goal would absolutely make sure of the points here.
CHANCE! What a miss from Suarez! The Barcelona forward combines wonderfully with Neymar before attempting to slide home from close range, but he fires wide of the post!
Suarez attempts to score from just inside the Granada half, but Fernandez manages to save!
BOOKING! Rochina (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Rakitic.
Little under 15 minutes of first period remaining and it has been a strong performance from Barcelona. A double from Messi has seen them take complete control of this match and the fact that Granada are so willing to commit players forward makes me think more goals are on the way!
SAVE! Fernandez gets down to deny Messi as the hosts come close again!
You have to feel for Granada here. It is tough enough facing Messi, but Suarez and Neymar also look in the mood and Turan has been excellent in the middle of the park. The visitors have a chance to threaten from a free kick 26m from goal, but Perez strikes straight into the wall.
Success has been nice and bright for Granada, but he cannot do it all alone. The number 11 continues to carry the ball into the final third, but he does not have any options. Barcelona, on the other hand, seem to be committing seven outfield players forward each time they launch an attack.
CLOSE! Neymar just hooks one over the Granada crossbar after collecting a high ball inside the box. Neymar's first touch is just outstandingly good. He's such a wonderful technician!
Rakitic finds space outside the Granada box, but his long-range strike was always moving wide of the post. You can see that the Barcelona players are enjoying themselves out there.
CHANCE! Again it is wonderful defending from Doria as the Granada centre-back manages to clear a low cross from Suarez, which Messi would surely have tapped home!
CHANCE! Neymar comes close once again after collecting a wonderful pass from Rakitic, but his strike smashes into the side-netting. In truth, this could already be five or six for Barcelona, but Granada have kept it to 2-0 as we approach the interval. It has been a long old half for the visitors!
Rochina strikes a moving ball from outside the Barcelona box, but his effort is wide.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 courtesy of a double from Lionel Messi. Granada have had bits and pieces in the final third, but in truth, it has been a half dominated by the hosts, who are heading back to the top of the La Liga table.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had 11 attempts - five of which were on target. Granada, meanwhile, have had three attempts, but all of those missed the target. Just the one yellow card to report - Granada's Rochina in the 29th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have an embarrassment of options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Alves, Busquets, Iniesta and Sandro all in reserve. Granada, meanwhile, have options in the shape of El Arabi, Ibanez, Marquez and Rico. Plenty of talent on both benches here!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Granada find a route back into this match?! It is the visitors that resume the action here...
... GRANADA SUB! Diego Mainz replaces Krhin for the away side.
It has been a decent start to the second period from Granada, with Rochina making ground down the left, but his low cross is cleared by Alba. Penaranda then manages to rob Pique of the ball, but moments later, Barcelona are off on one of their incredible breaks. Quicker than the speed of light.
Just a reminder that a win for Barcelona would see them return to the top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid, who do not play until tomorrow and have a very tough trip to Celta. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will welcome a strong Deportivo side tonight in Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge.
Success cuts inside before firing straight at Bravo as Granada register an attempt on target.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Granada are still very much a threat and Lomban just hooks over the crossbar from a corner. One goal for the visitors would make things very interesting, but Barcelona are capable of raising their level here.
Vidal fells Penaranda and Granada have a free kick in a very good position...
... SAVE! Lomban strikes straight into the arms of Bravo!
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and it is Granada that are searching for the game's third goal. Barcelona have just been a little sloppy in the final third - a bit of complacency perhaps? They will probably go on to score a couple more in the next few minutes now!
BOOKING! Mendez (Granada) is booked for a foul on Alba.
BOOKING! Lomban (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Granada (Messi)
Hat-trick Messi! Barcelona have their third of the match as Messi pokes home from close range after Neymar had hit the post with a low strike. Simple finish for Messi that time!
BOOKING! Doria (Granada) is booked for fouling Messi.
Barcelona are seemingly preparing to make a change here as Alves receives some final instructions. That should be for Vidal, who is starting to tire on his league debut.
Granada just need to be careful that they do not lose their heads here as late challenges continue to arrive. As Espanyol will tell them, going down to 10 or nine against Barcelona is not ideal!
BARCELONA SUB! Vidal is replaced by Alves.
Granada came out fighting in the second half, but that third for Barcelona seems to have taken the life out of them. It is now the home team in utter control of the ball as they pass and probe in the final third. It must be said that Turan has been wonderful in the middle of the park this afternoon.
CHANCE! Decent turn and strike from Rochina, but Bravo makes the save.
Still around 20 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining and Barcelona continue to look for openings in the final third of the field. Messi seems to be playing a different sport at the moment as he continues to drive past players and pick up little pockets. He is not human, that is for sure.
BARCELONA SUB! Turan leaves the field for Adriano.
GRANADA SUB! Ibanez replaces Penaranda for Granada.
Suarez and Neymar will be keen to get on the scoresheet in the final 15 minutes and it would be a brave man to bet against at least one of them registering. Suarez attempts to bend one into the far corner after more super work from Messi, but his effort was always comfortable for Fernandez.
Suarez is hacked down by Mendez, who is already on a yellow card! The referee, however, is not interested despite Suarez remaining on the deck. Mendez is very lucky there for me.
Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining and Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. In fairness to Granada, they could have folded and taking an absolute battering in this match, but all things considered, losing 3-0 at Barcelona is not the end of the world.
GRANADA SUB! Javi Marquez replaces Rochina.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, with Barcelona in control without really threatening to score a fourth goal. It remains a stop-start period of the match as Biraghi goes down holding his hamstring, but Granada have made all three changes.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Granada (Neymar)
Neymar has his goal and Barcelona have four as the Brazilian collects a low cross from Suarez before firing into the roof of the net from close range. Not sure where the defenders were!
The Barcelona supporters are having a wonderful time here as Neymar shows more super skills in a wide area before crossing into Messi, but the Argentine is just crowded out at the vital moment.
Bit of possession for Granada in the last couple of minutes. Much-needed possession!
Not an awful lot happening at the moment as both teams share possession of the ball. Barcelona will indeed be returning to the top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid, who play tomorrow.
Two minutes of added time to be played here.
Adriano fouls Ibanez and Granada have a free kick in an advanced position...
... SAVE! Marquez strikes towards goal, but Bravo is across to save.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-0 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 4-0 winners over Granada. The result has seen the Catalan side return to the summit ahead of Atletico Madrid, while Granada remain just outside the bottom three. Until next time!
