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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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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
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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