Suarez, Neymar lead Barca to 2-1 win at Las Palmas

That match had been postponed from December due to Barca’s commitments in the Club World Cup and, having finally got their games in hand out of the way, Luis Enrique’s men can pile the pressure on pursuers Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, who face on paper tougher tests on Sunday.

But despite his side’s recent high-scoring form, Luis Enrique is adamant the job is far from done – and Las Palmas represent a real threat as they bid to dig their way out of the relegation zone.

No team has squandered a six-point lead in La Liga with 14 matches to go in the 20 Ligas since the introduction of three points for a win in 1995/6, according to statistics published by the sports daily Mundo Deportivo.

The visitors were without suspended playmaker Sergio Busquets but otherwise fielded a near full-strength side three days ahead of their Champions League match in London against Arsenal.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 31 games in all competitions.

“It is always nice to play in a different way and win games easily, but these are the games which win you the league”.

Speaking of which, today saw Lionel Messi come up against Pedro Bigas once again – with the last time they met being that sunny afternoon at the Nou Camp when Bigas’ innocuous challenge injured Messi’s knee ligaments and ruled him out for two months.

Barcelona’s prolific strike trio teamed to restore the lead in the 39th when Suarez dribbled past two defenders and passed for Messi to draw a save from Varas that Neymar finished off.

However, Las Palmas deservedly got the equaliser just four minutes later thanks to Willian Jose’s slotted finish after Jonathan Viera had found the striker with the deftest of back-heels from a long ball, despite Barca’s protestations that the pass was offside. Malaga is known to play better against stronger teams.

Willian Jose put himself in position at the back post to prod a close-range finish into the back of the net. Javier Varas made the save on Messi’s point-blank attempt, but he could do nothing as Neymar swept the rebound home.

They are one point below Atletico Madrid. They also missed a couple of later chances, failing to keep potentially unsafe shots on goal.