A hat-trick from Pedro has maintained Barcelona's 100% start in La Liga at the expense of Rayo Vallecano.

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The Spanish international struck his first in the 33rd minute to give the Blaugrana the lead at half time, before Cesc Fabregas and Neymar set him up for tap-ins in the second period.

Three points sees Gerardo Martino's men overtake Atletico Madrid, who take on Real Valladolid at the Estadio Nuevo Jose Zorrilla later on this evening.

It was the home side who had the first opportunity to score when Saul's cross found Alberto Perea, but his point-blank header was well saved by Victor Valdes.

Rayo defender Tito was on hand to twice deny the visitors from breaking the deadlock, first clearing from Lionel Messi after the Argentine had rounded goalkeeper Ruben and then hacking a Neymar effort off the line.

The opening goal came just after the half-hour mark when Messi poked the ball into the path of Pedro, who produced an exquisite first-time finish to find the bottom corner of Ruben's net.

However, Adriano gifted Paco's side a route back into the game by climbing all over Roberto Trashorras inside the box just three minutes later.

The midfielder took the spot kick himself but Valdes, who saved a penalty in midweek against Ajax, stood tall to repel yet another effort from 12 yards out.

An entertaining first half packed with end-to-end action finished with the Catalan giants leading by just one goal, but they extended their advantage two minutes after the restart.

This time it was Fabregas who supplied the assist with a driven low ball into the box that Pedro turned past Ruben expertly.

That knocked the stuffing out of the hosts and Barca then began to turn on the style. The winger notched his third goal of the evening in the 77th minute following another incisive move that rendered the Rayo defence useless.

Fabregas added a fourth with 10 minutes to go, although Valdes was called upon once more to prevent Rayo from scoring a consolation goal.