Barcelona Get Back to Winning Ways With Victory Against Racing Santander

Barcelona thrashed Racing Santander 4-0 to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Barcelona was too strong for Racing, and put last week's disappointing defeat to Atletico Madrid behind them.

Any nerves that may have been present were settled in the first half, as Barcelona blew away their opposition.

Andres Iniesta scored his first goal of the season in his 300th appearance to start the rout.

After just seven minutes, Rafael Marquez played a long pass looking for Thierry Henry. Poor defending from Jose Angel Crespo let Iniesta in, and he neatly lifted the ball past Racing goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti.

Barcelona was able to call upon fit-again Yaya Toure, which compensated for the loss of midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez through injury.

They also welcomed back Gerard Pique and Marquez in defense after suspension.

Barcelona controlled the tempo of the game and dominated first half possession, which you would have expected from the home side.

Another example of poor defending from Racing allowed Barcelona to score a second goal.

Sergio Busquets was brought down on the edge of the penalty area after 29 minutes, and Henry managed to strike the corresponding free kick straight through the Racing wall for his first goal in 2010.

Barcelona added their third after 34 minutes from a beautiful Marquez free kick.

Marquez showed great technique to lift the ball up and over the wall and down onto the target for his first goal of the season.

The ball struck the left post and nestled into the net past a despairing Coltorti.

Despite Racing having a goal disallowed after 36 minutes, Barcelona continued to dominate the first-half and Bojan Krkic almost added a fourth on half-time.

Half the Nou Camp thought he had scored, but he only found the side netting after Lionel Messi had played an excellent through-ball.

Barcelona was able to play exhibition football in the second half, happy to see out the match, and came through relatively unscathed.

However, they took no risks with an injury to captain Carles Puyol. He suffered a cheek injury and was substituted after 68 minutes and replaced with young winger Jeffren Suarez, who filled in at right-back for the remainder of the game.

After 76 minutes Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola made two further changes with Tuesday's game in mind, bringing on youngsters Pedro Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara for Henry and Toure, respectively.

It was substitute Thiago who added the fourth goal on 84 minutes.

It was no more than they deserved. Racing had no answer for their slick, one-touch attacking football.

Messi showed great skill to beat Crespo on the by-line and set-up the 18-year-old for his first senior goal. Thiago tucked the ball home from close range with the help of a deflection.

This was a comfortable victory for Barcelona, and one which was needed following last week’s defeat.

But the big test will come in the forthcoming Champions League quarter final first leg away to Stuttgart on Tuesday night as Barcelona defend their crown.