adminMADRID. — A double from Lionel Messi guided Barcelona back to the top of the Spanish La Liga as they came from behind to beat Sevilla 4-1 in atrocious weather conditions on Sunday night. Alberto Moreno had fired Sevilla into a deserved early lead, but Barca were level in controversial circumstances when Alexis Sanchez bundled home Messi’s free-kick from an offside position. Messi then took over with a wonderful half-volley to give his side the lead at half-time.
The Argentine produced another fine finish 11 minutes after the restart before Cesc Fabregas rounded off the scoring three minutes from time.
The Spanish champions now lead a three-way tie at the top of La Liga on goal difference with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid also on 57 points.
“To have the opportunity to recover and regain the lead just a week after losing it is reassuring,” said Barca boss Gerardo Martino. “We start again now and we will see which of the three teams make a mistake first. We hope it won’t be us again.”
Martino was also pleased by his side’s reaction after a dreadful opening in which they could easily have conceded three times.
“We played badly for the first 20 minutes. I wouldn’t say the first-half was the worst we have played this season because we improved towards half-time and the equaliser had a calming effect on us.” — AFP.
Online Reporter