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Barcelona 5-1 Real Sociedad

Barcelona 5-1 Real Sociedad
© PA Photos
Barcelona start the new La Liga campaign in winning style thanks to a comfortable 5-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have got the new La Liga season off to a winning start thanks to a 5-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.

The hosts took the lead after only four minutes when Carles Puyol headed in powerfully from Xavi Hernandez's cross after Sociedad had failed to clear their lines.

The visitors got themselves level just four minutes later as Gonzalo Castro fired in.

However, the scores were tied for only two minutes before Lionel Messi took on three defenders to rifle the ball into the top corner.

The Argentine got his second of a frantic first half on 16 minutes when he poked in past Claudio Bravo.

Barca made it 4-1 with four minutes of the half remaining thanks to Pedro's finish from Cristian Tello's cross.

Messi nearly completed his hat-trick at the start of the second period, but his drive slammed into the sidenetting. Xavi then saw his long-range effort tipped around the post by Bravo.

One of the loudest cheers of the night came with 15 minutes to play as David Villa made his return in front of the Catalan fans after spending nine months out with a broken leg.

It got better for the striker moments later when he fired in after good work from Andres Iniesta.

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Jack Prescott
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A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Sevilla207582329-626
10Rayo Vallecano196762222025
11Real BetisBetis206772226-425
12Osasuna196762328-525
13Celta Vigo197392830-224
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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