Neymar hits Las Palmas hat-trick

Neymar was Barcelona's star as his hat-trick fired Barcelona to a 4-1 win at Las Palmas on Sunday and ensured they remained top of La Liga.

Relive the game as it unfolded with Football Espana’s liveblog!

Pedro Bigas had threatened to blow the game wide open with his goal back for Las Palmas, but Barca’s MSN front line were in sweet harmony, with Neymar spearheading their efforts at Gran Canaria.

Barca were without Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto in defence, so left-back Lucas Digne was forced to fill in on the other side. B starlet Marlon was also thrown in for his League debut, replacing Javier Mascherano, who injured himself during the warm-up.

Despite the occasional Kevin-Prince Boateng snapshot and Lionel Messi made to wait for a goal at Gran Canaria once more, Barca never looked like dropping points.

Luis Suarez showed his unselfish streak for the Catalans’ opening goal as he teed up Neymar for a tap-in from Messi’s defence-splitting ball.

Suarez then lobbed Javi Varas on the half-volley for his sixth goal in four meetings with the islanders, Neymar returning the favour with the assist.

Las Palmas threatened to derail Barca’s title tilt for a moment through Bigas, who arrived in the visitors’ box from his central-defensive position to slide home Boateng’s cutback.

Nonetheless, Neymar glanced a header in for 3-1, before the Brazilian’s toepoke at the near post rounded off a sixth straight win for the Blaugrana.

Las Palmas 1-4 Barcelona

Bigas 63 (LP) Neymar 25, 67, 71, Suarez 27 (B)

Las Palmas: Varas; Michel, Lemos, Bigas, Helder; Montoro (Hernan 78); Momo (Halilovic 72), Mesa, Viera (Javi Castellano 85), Jese; Boateng

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Mascherano, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Digne (Gomes 58); Messi (Denis 79), Suarez (Alcacer 79), Neymar

Referee: Gonzalez Gonzalez

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