Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Score and Reaction from 2015 La Liga Match

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga after a stylish 4-0 beatdown of Real Sociedad at home. Free-scoring duo Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez, along with talisman Lionel Messi, struck again at the Camp Nou as last season's treble winners were in rampant mood.

Neymar hit a brace, while Suarez added to his growing tally this season. The deadly double-act livened up what had been a fairly static first half. Neymar bagged another after the break, before a not-to-be-upstaged Messi made it four.

Barca are now seven points clear at the top, with Atletico and Real Madrid still to play but already facing daunting, respective deficits.

Barca boss Luis Enrique stuck with a familiar lineup, featuring Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta as the playmakers in midfield, behind the terrific trio up front. The club's official Twitter provided the starting XI:

Sociedad's answer was to hope for a good day from former Arsenal man Carlos Vela. He joined Sergio Canales as the key man in attack for the visitors. Sociedad's Twitter detailed the full lineup:

After some cagey opening exchanges, Neymar broke the deadlock. The goal cemented his current prolific run of form, according to Squawka:

Next, it was time for Suarez to get in on the act. Another stylish volley followed from the mercurial Uruguayan, who is playing well enough to rival Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best.

The ex-Liverpool talisman is simply unstoppable in front of goal at the moment, according to WhoScored.com:

Ironically, BBC Sport's Andy West noted how Sociedad, despite falling two down, had actually looked solid for most of the half. They'd even kept Barca's main man under wraps:

West has hit on the central challenge of facing Barca. Not only do they have the match-winning quality to turn any game their way at any moment, but dealing with their front three really is a case of pick your poison.

Teams can't afford to double up on Messi, an understandable natural inclination, when Neymar and Suarez are playing this well. It's impossible for a defence to choose its focus in a forward line with no weaknesses.

But while free-scoring strikers continue to get the headlines, West also felt it fair to commend a less-heralded veteran's contribution:

Given how well gifted youngster Sergi Roberto played in his stead when he was injured, Alves' quality display is very well-timed. The 32-year-old has provided a reminder of his enduring class and influence as an attacking outlet opposing teams still find close to impossible to track.

OptaJose detailed how effective Alves remains when he's supplementing the front:

The second half was played out at a serene pace for the hosts. Messi hit the bar but did eventually get his goal after some generous work from Neymar.

Overall, though, the second-half performance was more about protecting the lead than adding to it. Sid Lowe of the Guardian singled out one player as particularly key in this effort:

The game slowed to a crawl late on. Barca were happy to take it easy having made easy work of doing the job.

Post-Match Reaction

Just as he did after his side's 6-1 thumping of AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League, Enrique challenged his rampant team to keep aiming for even better performances:

Defender Javier Mascherano echoed his manager's sentiments:

Alves was another player determined not to get carried away, per AS:

Enrique also resisted the inevitable questions about how his current team compares to the greats of Barca's glorious past, according to Spanish Football writer Sergi Dominguez:

Yet, despite Enrique's attempts to manage expectations and slow the hype, Barca look unstoppable in domestic action this season. The introduction of exciting young talents like Roberto has added fresh impetus to an already awesome squad.

But it's Suarez hitting his peak that is adding something more to last season's formula. Now fully settled in Spain's top flight, his drive, creative flair and goals are making this attack unplayable for the opposition.

As for Sociedad, there's no shame in leaving the Camp Nou empty handed. But perhaps the club will rue their overly defensive approach in games like this. A little more ambition is needed.