Lionel Messi scored two late goals as Barcelona beat 10-man Hercules
3-0 to preserve their 100% away record in the Primera Division and
move seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Pedro gave Barca the lead two minutes before the interval, but
the win was still in doubt until Messi's late intervention, with
the Argentina forward bagging two goals in the last three minutes
to give the Catalans a comfortable victory following Javier Farinos'
dismissal for the home side.
The win erased memories of Barca's surprise home defeat at the
hands of the promoted side earlier on in the campaign.
Barcelona peppered the home side's goal in glacier-like conditions,
quickly finding Hercules' soft centre in the early exchanges.
Messi was looking fresh and saw an early effort saved by Juan Calatayud
before dragging a crisp shot just wide moments later.
Pedro also missed two great chances for Barca before the half-hour,
although David Trezeguet almost gave the home side the lead in between,
when he fired wide with only Victor Valdes to beat.
|
