Barcelona player ratings v Elche: Lewandowski 9, Gavi 9, Fati 8, Torres 7

La Liga leaders ease to a 4-0 victory at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero to extend gap to 15 points

BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 7. An incredible 20 clean sheets in the league and kept another against the side well adrift at the bottom of La Liga. He won’t expect to be so untroubled in Wednesday’s clasico at Camp Nou. AFP

Jules Kounde – 8. Right of a back three when Barca were in possession, he was a full back out of possession. He was right by the Elche goal when he shot after 44, which was blocked in front of goal. AFP

Marcos Alonso – 7. With Christensen injured, he started centrally and looked comfortable against La Liga’s bottom club. Headed a 35th minute Elche free-kick away from danger after Aruajo missed it. Strong on his left foot and shot on target after 51. Won everything in the air. AFP

Ronald Araujo – 7. Barcelona’s best defender is back from a groin injury and looked to be fine, if not 100 per cent, though his manager Xavi was asking him how he was feeling with 20 minutes to play. Yellow card after 73. AP

Jordi Alba – 7. Crossed for the opener in front of the 28,142 crowd. Got back to stop a 52nd minute counterattack and one of several players rotated into the side who performed well. AFP

Sergi Roberto – 6. In the absence of Frenkie de Jong, he started in midfield and struggled against an energetic Elche. AFP

Eric Garcia – 7. Started as a holding midfielder for the first time. An experiment, he was comfortable from box to box. Surprisingly impressive before he tired in the second half. "Eric looked very relaxed today,” said Xavi. “I think that he played very well in a new position for him. We'll see in the future.” Getty

Gavi – 9. As tenacious as ever, battling to win every ball. After one battle in which he appeared to have no chance of winning the ball, he set Kounde up to score. Picked up first yellow card of the game, but the game’s most inventive player. Forced the mistake which set up the third, then brought off with Wednesday’s clasico in mind. AP

Ferran Torres – 7. Played on the right and put an accurate cross to Lewandowski on 42. Needed a goal himself and got one with 20 minutes left to make it 4-0, a fine left foot finish to come inside the post and his first goal after the World Cup. Getty

Robert Lewandowski – 9. Put his side ahead to make it 16 league goals, cushioning an Aruajo ball down to shoot. Headed over after 42, then made it 3-0 out of nothing after 65 minutes before assisting the fourth. Four goals in two games against Elche. Booked after 87 minutes. AP

Ansu Fati – 8. Frustrated at his lack of minutes, the suspension of Raphinha and absence of Ousmane Dembele meant he started. Barca pressed high and kept it up. Worked hard, but better further back than in front of goal. Then he scored the second, a goal he needed and his first after the World Cup, running from his own half. Not as confident as he once was but an encouraging night. Getty

SUBS: Franck Kessie (Gavi 67’) – 7. Played in Lewandowski as Barca pushed to make it five. EPA

Pablo Torre (Araujo 77’) – N/A. The young midfielder picked up some more valuable league minutes; Alex Garrido (Fati 84’) – N/A. On for for his Barcelona debut where he played out the final few minutes in midfield. "Aleix Garrido is a Barça profile for sure,” said his boss. “He has a great last pass and is a superior player technically. He’s got time, but I love him." Getty

Robert Lewandowski scored twice as leaders Barcelona won 4-0 at bottom side Elche on Saturday to go provisionally 15 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

La Liga top scorer Lewandowski got back on the goal trail after three goalless league games, opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a close-range finish after Ronald Araujo headed the ball down to him in front of goal.

Ansu Fati doubled the lead in the 55th minute after picking up a Ferran Torres pass in his own half and breaking forward towards the edge of the box before firing low into the far corner of the goal.

Barcelona's trademark high pressing paid off in the 65th minute when Gavi stole the ball off the Elche defence to set up Lewandowski in the box, who had no trouble scoring his second of the night and 17th league goal of the season.

Torres got on the scoresheet in the 70th-minute, slotting his shot into the left corner for his third league goal of the campaign.

Barcelona will face bitter rivals Real Madrid for the fourth time in 2023 on Wednesday in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, where they hold a 1-0 lead.

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