Barcelona welcomed Real Valladolid to the Camp Nou on Saturday looking to make it eight wins from eight La Liga matches this season.
It was the away side that took the lead early on through Javi Guerra, but Alexis Sanchez levelled for Barcelona moments later.
The home side were ahead in the early stages of the second period when Xavi converted from close range, before Sanchez scored his second after 64 minutes.
Sanchez then turned provider after 70 minutes as he fed Neymar for their fourth of the match as Barcelona wrapped up the points in style.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Real Valladolid. The Catalan outfit might have a new manager this season, but some things never change. They currently top the league on goal difference having won all seven of their league fixtures thus far.
It has not been plain sailing for Valladolid, however, with six points form seven matches leaving them just outside the relegation zone. They are also without a win in four, but they have lost just once in the process. In truth, how they fare this season will not depend on their trips to places such as Barcelona.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Valladolid. Of the last five matches, Barcelona have won all of them, scoring 13 times in the process and conceding just twice. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 2-1 win. Barcelona were also 3-1 winners when they travelled to Valladolid in December 2012.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Adriano; Song, Xavi, Fabregas; Tello, Neymar, Sanchez
REAL VALLADOLID: Marino; Rueda, Rukavina, Valiente, Pena; Bergdich, Ebert, Baraja, Omar; Rossi, Guerra
So there we have it. Still no Lionel Messi for Barcelona, with Neymar moving into a central position in the starting XI to occupy Alexis Sanchez and Cristian Tello. Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets also drop out. Valladolid, meanwhile, hand starts to Rossi and Javi Guerra in attack. Right, the home side get the action underway on this warm evening in Barcelona.
As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes with Song and Xavi seeing plenty of the ball. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The home supporters will be expecting their side to put on a display in the Camp Nou tonight.
Valladolid enter the match with just the one defeat in their last five matches, but they have won just once in the league this season. The home side are on the front foot as Neymar combines with Sanchez before curling a low cross into the box, but Rukavina is on hand to make the clearance. It is so important that Valladolid do not concede in the early stages.
CHANCE! Barcelona's first chance of the match comes to Fabregas as the Spaniard comes close to meeting a cross from Sanchez, but Marc Valiente just manages to clear under his own crossbar. That could have gone anywhere. Valladolid threaten to break moments later, but Song pulls Ebert to the ground.
Another half-chance for the home side as Sanchez finds Fabregas inside the box, but the midfielder can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Valladolid simply cannot get out of their own half at the moment with the constant pressure from the home side bringing mistake after mistake.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Valladolid (Guerra)
Valladolid's first attack comes down the left as Ebert finds some space before driving a low cross into the box, but Pique is on hand to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is met by the head of Guerra, whose effort drops into the back of the net. Terrible defending from the home side.
Guerra is now on four league goals for the season, which is a very respectable total indeed. Barcelona have been stunning in attack this season, but they continue to cause their own problems in defence. At least Valladolid have something to hold onto in the early stages of this match.
Marino is called into action to deny Bartra as the Barcelona defender drives into the box before releasing an effort towards goal, but the Valladolid stopper is across to make a fine save. The resulting corner is taken by Xavi, but it is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Almost silent inside the Camp Nou with 14 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Valladolid (Sanchez)
What was I saying? Silent inside the Camp Nou? Well, it isn't any more. Sanchez puts his side level with a thumping effort into the top corner after good work from Tello. What a match we have on our hands.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Tello to send Barcelona into the lead as the Spaniard is found by Neymar beyond the Valladolid defence, but Marino is out to make a fine save. Rossi has a problem moments later as he catches one in the chest, with treatment immediately called for.
Valladolid remind us that they are still in the match as Ebert meets a cross from Baraja, but his spectacular volley is high and wide of the crossbar. What an opening 20 minutes we have had in Barcelona. Valladolid have come to attack this evening make no mistake about that.
Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third with Xavi and Fabregas working in advanced areas, but it is creating space for the away side to break. Bergdich takes advantage of that as he moves past Pique before winning a corner for his side. However, the resulting set piece from Omar Ramos is high and wide of Valdes's crossbar.
Another half-chance for the away side as Guerra finds Bergdich in the Barcelona box, but he passes up the chance to shoot and eventually loses possession in a challenge with Pique. Barcelona are down the other end with Neymar moments later, but the Brazilian is denied by Rueda just outside the box. Still 1-1 with 24 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Omar Ramos finds Bergdich inside the box, but his effort is just clipped wide at the final moment by Bartra. The resulting corner is delivered straight under the crossbar, but Valdes manages to clear. End-to-end football in the Camp Nou.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona this time as Fabregas finds Neymar inside the box. The Brazilian takes one touch before attempting to roll his effort under Marino, but the Valladolid stopper makes a fine save. He has kept his team in the match in the last few moments. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Xavi to test Marino from a free kick outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. I suspect Alves will be taking the next one in that type of area. Valladolid break immediately down the other end with Guerra, but this time his cross is straight into the arms of the waiting Valdes.
Two penalty appeals from Neymar within the space of one minute are turned down by the referee. The first is a good decision as Pena makes the challenge, but the Brazilian is seemingly felled the second time as Pena brings him to the ground. How on earth has the referee not seen it?!
Real sense of frustration inside the Camp Nou at the moment following the referee's decision not to award Neymar a penalty. Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the Valladolid box with Xavi and Fabregas both involved in the final third, but the away side are closing down the space at the moment. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Valladolid starting to enjoy more of the ball in the Barcelona half. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. It is almost as if everyone is waiting for something to happen. Still level at 1-1 with little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
An opportunity does arrive for Sanchez moments later as Neymar finds the Chilean inside the box, but he can only turn his effort high and wide of the crossbar. You cannot say that the home side have not had their chances. It is so important that Valladolid keep this level in the final stages of the first period.
Fabregas is next to try his luck from outside the box following good work from Pique, but it is comfortable for Marino, who has had a very busy half in the Camp Nou. Not too much for Valdes to occupy himself with in the last few moments, however, with Valladolid just retreating in the latter stages of the first period.
Another opportunity for Barcelona to test Marino from outside the box as Neymar is felled by Pena. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Xavi, but Pique is an offside position. Little under one minute of normal time plus any additional remaining in the first period.
HALF TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Valladolid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first half to an end with the scores level at 1-1. It was Valladolid that took the lead in the early stages courtesy of a header from Guerra, but a wonderful strike from Sanchez moved Barcelona level. It has been far from comprehensive for Barcelona, with Valladolid having their moments in an entertaining first period.
STATISTICS: Barcelona had 68% of the possession in the first period, while they have had seven attempts to Valladolid's four. Many - myself included - expected Barcelona to be out of sight at this stage of the match, but that is not the case. No yellow cards for either side in the first period.
BENCH WATCH: It will not come as much of a surprise that Barcelona have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Pedro, Andres Iniesta and Sergi Roberto. Meanwhile, Valladolid have the likes of Rama, Osorio and Vadillo in reserve. It would be a surprise if either manager looked to their bench at this stage of proceedings.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Barcelona would remain top of the pile, but Atletico Madrid could move above them with all three points tomorrow. However, I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. Valladolid get the second period underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, but I suspect Martino will look to his bench if the score remains the same around the hour mark. The home side have taken control of the possession in the early stages of the second period, but an attack down the right breaks down as Sanchez loses possession.
Early booking for Rossi as the Italian fells Neymar just outside the Valladolid box. The resulting set piece is taken by Neymar, but his effort just moves wide of the post. The away side attempt to break down the other end with Baraja, but Neymar is the challenger this time. It is so delicately poised ahead of the remaining 40 minutes or so.
Fabregas comes close to finding the run of Neymar moments later following good work from Xavi, but Rueda just manages to clear at the vital moment. Sanchez is down the right moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of the waiting goalkeeper. Not too much to get excited about in the last minute or two.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid (Xavi)
Barcelona take the lead with 52 minutes on the clock as Neymar finds Tello, whose low cross is turned into the bottom corner by Xavi. Simple but effective as the home side move 2-1 ahead. Can Valladolid respond?
One-way traffic since the goal with Barcelona passing and probing outside the Valladolid box. Alves threatens to make it 3-1 as he drives a low cross into the box, but there are no takers this time. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be decisive. Do not rule out Valladolid nicking another from a set piece.
Half-chance for Barcelona once more as Neymar dances into the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Marino is across to make the save. Neymar threatens again moments later, this time from a deeper position, but Marino collects once more. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the Camp Nou.
Another free kick for Barcelona outside the box comes to nothing as Alves's effort is deflected high and wide of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but Pena is on hand to clear. Bergdich threatens on the counter, but he cannot keep hold of the ball as he runs into traffic.
CROSSBAR! Tello comes close to making it 3-1 as he moves beyond two defenders before striking an effort from outside the box, but it clips the top of the crossbar before dropping out for a goal kick. Another goal for the home side would surely secure all the points.
Valladolid make their first change of the match as their summer signing Osorio comes on to replace Guerra, which is a strange decision. Safe to say that the striker is not best pleased with the change. Barcelona continue to control the possession, but at 2-1, Valladolid are always in with a shout.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Valladolid (Sanchez)
Sanchez has his second of the match as the Chilean slips his low effort under the onrushing goalkeeper following good work from Neymar, who has been impressive in the second period. That should be enough to secure all the points this evening.
Barcelona go 3-1 ahead and then immediately bring on Iniesta for Fabregas. Not the best news for Valladolid that is for certain. It is a case of how many in the final 20 minutes as the home side continue to utterly dominate possession of the ball.
Another half-chance for the home side as Sanchez feed a low cross into the box, but Xavi cannot make contact as Marino comes to collect at the vital moment. Valladolid attempt to counter down the other end with Osorio, but the Colombian is challenged by Bartra inside the box. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Barcelona.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Valladolid (Neymar)
Barcelona have their fourth of the evening as Sanchez finds Neymar, who curls a low effort into the bottom corner. Stunning finish from the Brazilian. Valladolid could be in trouble in the latter stages of this match.
Valladolid make their second change of the match with Rama entering the field to replace Ebert, who has recently returned from injury. One-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe outside the Valladolid box. Little over 15 minutes of this Spanish fixture remaining.
Barcelona make their second change of the match moments later as Pedro enters the field to replace Tello. It doesn't get much easier for Valladolid. Two top-class Spaniards have been taken off and two top-class Spaniards have been introduced. There are still a couple of goals in this if Barcelona wish to add to their total.
Another big penalty shout for the home side as Neymar goes down inside the box under a challenge from Valiente, but the referee is not interested. The Brazilian might have had three penalties this evening. However, the referee is not buying it. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in the Camp Nou.
Possession football for the home side as they continue to pass and probe outside the Valladolid box. Those inside the stadium will have been pleased with their side's response this evening there is no question about that. However, questions about their ability to defend set pieces will once more be posed.
Barcelona make their third and final change of the evening as Pique leaves the field for Busquets, who will slot into the centre of defence for the final stages. Valladolid have a half-chance moments later as Osorio finds Rama on the edge of the box, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with Barcelona content to play out the match in the opposing half. The spectators are just starting to make their way toward the exits as we approach the final five minutes. It will be eight wins out of eight for Barcelona - some start for Martino.
Neymar attempts to register his second of the evening as he strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Valladolid attempt to break down the other end with Rossi, but the Italian runs into traffic. They make their final change moments later as Garcia replaces Bergdich.
It's good work from Omar and Rama as the Valladolid pair combine down the right before the latter whips a cross into the box, but Song is on hand with the clearing header. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of normal time.
Untidy end to the match with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both sides. Omar Ramos indeed enters the book for a foul on Alves. The rain is starting to fall in Barcelona as the home side move closer to another three points. They will be three clear of Atletico Madrid, who play Celta Vigo tomorrow morning.
FULL TIME: Barcelona 4-1 Valladolid
So there we have it. Barcelona continue their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 win against Valladolid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more La Liga football. Until then!
