Pedro puts on a show in absence of Barcelona stars

Three goals by Pedro, right, and two more from Cesc Fabregas helped make sure Barcelona did not miss the injured Lionel Messi or the suspended Neymar as they defeated hosts Getafe 5-2 on Sunday night. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty ImagesShow less

MADRID // Barcelona ensured they will finish 2013 on top of the Spanish Primera Liga as a Pedro hat-trick helped them come from two goals down to win 5-2 at Getafe on Sunday night.

The hosts had got off to a flying start as goals from Sergio Escudero and Lisandro Lopez put them 2-0 up inside 14 minutes.

However, the Catalans responded like champions as Pedro scored three times in eight minutes before the break.

Cesc Fabregas gave Barca breathing space when he volleyed home Pedro’s cross 22 minutes from time, and the former Arsenal captain doubled his tally from the penalty spot moments later.

Barca’s comeback means they edge ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference at the top of the table.

Without the suspended Neymar and injured Lionel Messi, the spotlight was on the Catalans’ fringe players in attack to make their claim for a regular starting spot.

And Barca coach Gerardo Martino hailed Pedro’s impact, having previously seen his opportunities limited this season.

“Pedro has a great eye for goal, everyone in Spain knows that,” the Argentine said. “He has a great attitude, he never gives up and he understands that he is an important player, even if he does play in an area of the field where Barcelona have other great players.”

Barca had got off to a poor start as Escudero played a wonderful one-two with Angel Lafita before firing home from close range.

Four minutes later Lisandro rose highest to power home Pedro Leon’s corner to double Getafe’s advantage.

Despite such a poor opening, though, Martino praised his side’s patience to find a way back into the game.

“I want to stress how we maintained our way of playing and continued in the manner we had planned before the match,” he said. “Obviously we have to analyse what happened in the first 15 minutes, but we kept our heads and didn’t panic, which is the Barcelona way.”

The Barca revival began 10 minutes before half time, when Fabregas released Pedro in behind the defence and his chipped finish had just enough elevation to take it past Miguel Angel Moya.

Pedro then curled home into the top corner from the edge of the area and pounced on a defensive error by Juan Valera to give his side the lead at half time.

Diego Castro should have restored parity for Getafe when he curled inches wide of the far post after turning Gerard Pique inside the area on the hour mark.

And that miss was to prove crucial as Barca killed off the contest with a wonderful team move eight minutes later that culminated with Fabregas volleying home Pedro’s cross at the back post.

Pedro could have had his fourth seconds later as his attempted lob of Moya drifted just over, but he was also involved in Barca’s fifth as he was clipped inside the area by Borja Fernandez and Fabregas sent Moya the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.

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