Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday that moved them back to the summit of La Liga as they took advantage of Real Madrid's defeat to Osasuna 24 hours earlier. First-half goals from midfield duo Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong put the hosts in control before Fermin Lopez scored a stunner on a day when Joao Cancelo was the real star of the show.
Barca were quick to get going as Jules Kounde volleyed a teasing Cancelo cross over the bar before Bernal broke the deadlock in the fourth minute when he was found on the edge of the six-yard box by Eric Garcia following a corner.
Levante almost gifted Barca a second when they gave possession on the edge of their own penalty area, but Maty Ryan stood up to deny Raphinha before Robert Lewandowski sent the rebound over the bar with the goal gaping. The visitors did look to cause problems with balls over the top, however, and Joan Garcia had to be quick off his line to keep Jon Olasagasti from poking home an equaliser.
Cancelo continued to cause problems down the Barca left, and soon after he had hit the post with a teasing cross that evaded everyone inside the penalty area, his low ball into the box was turned home by De Jong to put the Blaugrana into a comfortable lead.
Barcelona continued to dominate, though it was left to Fermin to make the points safe with a 25-yard rasper that flew in off the post, confirming Barca's place back on top of La Liga, one point ahead of their great rivals Madrid. The substitute might wonder how he didn't grab a second, though, after he was denied by Ryan from point-blank range after the Levante 'keeper had kept out Raphinha's header.
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