EPL: Neymar scores his 100th goal as Barcelona trounce Granada 4-1

Barcelona made light of the suspended Lionel Messi's absence to remain just two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid as Neymar netted his 100th goal for the club in a 4-1 win at Granada on Sunday

Barcelona’s Neymar celebrates after scoring against Granada FC on Sunday. Pic/AFP

Madrid: Barcelona made light of the suspended Lionel Messi's absence to remain just two points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid as Neymar netted his 100th goal for the club in a 4-1 win at Granada on Sunday.

Barca could have used Messi's precision in front of goal as they passed up a host of chances in the first-half at Nuevo Los Carmenes. Luis Suarez's first attempted chip over Ochoa came back off the underside of the bar before the Mexican denied Suarez with three saves in as many minutes. The Uruguayan did eventually make the breakthrough when he sent a lovely dinked effort over the helpless Ochoa from Jordi Alba's through ball.

Granada sent on Chelsea loanee Jeremie Boga at the start of the second-half and he took just five minutes to level as his pace proved too much for Barca's cumbersome backline before finishing low into the far corner.

However, Barca retook the lead 13 minutes later when this time Suarez turned provider for Alcacer to net just his fourth goal since joining from Valencia in August. Any chance of a Granada revival was ended when Uche Agbo was shown a second yellow card eight minutes from time.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!