Lopetegui under pressure as Barca hammer Real

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

With Luis Suarez giving a masterful performance in attack, Barcelona didn't need Lionel Messi to deal Real Madrid a devastating defeat that could lead to the departure of coach Julen Lopetegui.

Suarez scored a hat trick to lead Barcelona to a 5-1 demolition of Madrid yesterday, a stinging loss that will crank up the pressure on the already beleaguered Lopetegui who is only a few months into his job.

Suarez provide the goals and Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde made the moves that proved critical in crushing a short-lived comeback by the visitors.

The win lifted Barcelona to the top of the Spanish league with 21 points, while Madrid were left languishing in ninth place with 14 points.

Madrid have now gone five rounds without a win, including four losses, in their first season under Lopetegui.

Despite having as many defeats as wins this season, Lopetegui said that he still believed he could turn Madrid's season around.

Left back Jordi Alba was a pest to Madrid from the start. A long ball from Ivan Rakitic left Alba alone after fine control to romp into the area and pick out Philippe Coutinho arriving in a second wave. The Brazil midfielder did his part by providing a cool finish with his left foot to beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the 11th-minute opener.

VIDEO REPLAY

Barcelona earned a second goal in the 30th with help from a video replay after Raphael Varane barged into Suarez at the edge of the six-yard box.

The referee awarded the spot kick after consulting the video monitor on the sideline, allowing Suarez to step up and perfectly execute the strike by driving a low shot between the post and the outstretched Courtois.

The match briefly swung the other way after the restart.

Lopetegui substituted Varane with Lucas Vazquez at half-time, and the forward played a role in Marcelo pulling one back in the 51st by combining with Isco before his pass was deflected for Marcelo to finish.

Madrid pressed for the equaliser that Luka Modric almost claimed when he was unmarked to hit the post.

Seeing his team struggle, Valverde sent on defender Nelson Semedo and shifted Sergi Roberto into attack.

Suarez soon volleyed a headed pass from Roberto off the upright. He then linked up again with Roberto twice more to turn what was appearing to be an evenly fought contest into an easy win.

The Uruguay striker used a powerful turn of his neck to fire a header home from Roberto's pass in the 75th. He then completed his treble in the 83rd by chipping Courtois after Roberto stole the ball from Sergio Ramos.

Arturo Vidal headed in a fifth goal from a pass by fellow substitute Ousmane Dembele with Madrid in disarray.