Barcelona moved back to the summit of La Liga on Sunday afternoon as they beat Real Sociedad 4-0 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
La Blaugrana took full advantage of Real Madrid's surprise defeat at Real Betis to move three points clear of their title adversaries, also leapfrogging Atletico Madrid after they had briefly moved into top spot following victory at home to Athletic Club on Saturday.
Aritz Elustondo's 17th-minute red card certainly helped Barcelona as they eased to victory, with efforts from Gerard Martin and Marc Casado handing Hansi Flick's side a two-goal cushion at the break.
Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski set one another up for goals after the break as Barcelona waltzed to three crucial points in the title race.
How the game unfolded
Real Sociedad thought they had made the dream start in Catalonia as Sergio Gomez fired a deflected effort beyond Wojciech Szczesny in the third minute, but Barcelona breathed a huge sigh of relief as Javi Lopez was penalised for offside in the build-up.
However, La Real's bright start would soon turn nightmarish. Moments after Alex Remiro's error almost handed Barcelona the lead, Elustondo was dismissed for his last-man foul on Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder looked to race through on goal.
The Basque outfit's ten-man resistance lasted just eight minutes before the hosts celebrated their opener. Olmo, who was the decisive factor in last weekend's win over Las Palmas, found left-back Martin inside the penalty area and the 23-year-old emphatically swept home his first goal for the club.
Casado would enjoy the same feeling just four minutes later as he opened his Barcelona account. Fortune favoured the holding midfielder as Olmo's venomous strike ricocheted off his knee and beyond the helpless Remiro.
The second half was all about damage limitation for La Real but they allowed Barcelona their third just ten minutes after the restart. Having just seen Pedri power a thumping strike off the crossbar, the visitors couldn't prevent Araujo turning home from close range at a corner.
Buoyed by his effort several minutes earlier, the Uruguayan defender proceeded to set up Lewandowski as Barcelona poured more misery on their visitors. The Poland international stuck out a foot to divert his teammate's long-range effort beyond Remiro, claiming his eighth goal in the space of ten matches in the process.
With the points firmly in their back pocket, Barcelona understandably took their foot off the gas in the closing stages as they cast one eye towards Wednesday's Champions League clash with Benfica.
Player ratings
Check out player ratings from Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad here.
Advantage Barcelona in La Liga title race
Having seen an underwhelming Madrid beaten in Seville on Saturday, Barcelona were well aware of what they needed to do against a stubborn Real Sociedad side who had only been narrowly defeated by Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening.
Imanol Alguacil's men don't concede many and are capable of frustrating even the most dynamic of opposition - something they proved in victory over Barcelona earlier this term - but an early red card made the victory far too comfortable.
A potentially problematic encounter swiftly turned into a cakewalk for the home side, who are now in pole position for top spot come the end of the season.
Dani Olmo fuels Barcelona procession
Olmo's position in the starting lineup has not been guaranteed since the turn of the year but the Spaniard proved his credentials to Flick on Sunday. Having changed the game from the bench last weekend, he proved the difference-maker from the off against La Real.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in the three key moments of the first half, winning the foul that saw Elustondo dismissed before setting up both strikes. His first assist was sumptuous as he demonstrated his remarkable vision to pick out Martin at the far post and his presence in the penalty area consistently unnerved Real Sociedad's defence.
Olmo finished the encounter having created five chances, as well as completing 92% of his passes and taking ten touches in the Real Sociedad box. La Real simply couldn't handle him.
Perfect preparation for the Champions League
It couldn't have been a much rosier afternoon for Barcelona in terms of their charge for the title, but it was also perfect preparation for their upcoming Champions League last-16 first leg against Benfica on Wednesday evening.
Having wrapped up victory by the half-time whistle, Hansi Flick was able to make several early substitutions in the second half to rest key first-teamers ahead of the trip to Lisbon, with the trio of Pedri, Raphinha and Pau Cubarsi all withdrawn before the hour mark.
La Blaugrana should have plenty of fresh legs ahead of their Portuguese adventure and they will prove pivotal in overcoming a talented Benfica side. Barcelona's visit to Estadio da Luz earlier this season ended 5-4 in controversial circumstances as Bruno Lage's side continually caused them issues with darting runs in behind and swift counter-attacks.
Knockout football is often a matter of fine margins and Barcelona's effortless victory on Sunday may give them the extra energy needed in Europe.
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