Neymar and Lionel Messi both scored twice as Barcelona beat Elche to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Gerard Pique opened the scoring with the visitors’ only shot on target in a tight first half before Messi scored from the spot after the break.
Elche were reduced to 10 men when Faycal Fajr was sent off and Neymar scored a quick brace before Messi rifled in the fifth himself.
Pedro netted the sixth late on in a win that keeps Barca one point behind Real.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique made six changes to the side that beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Copa del Rey in midweek and benched Luis Suarez on his birthday, despite recently backing the £75m striker to rediscover his best goalscoring form.
Suarez, who netted 32 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season, has scored just five times in 17 games since his summer move to Spain and was replaced in the starting XI by Pedro on the right of an attacking triumvirate with Messi and Neymar.
Amid all the changes it was Elche who started quickly, with Jonathas and Fajr both going close to giving the hosts the lead at the Martinez Valero stadium before Barca defender Pique popped up at the far post to fire home from Xavi Hernandez’s free-kick.
Barca had put 12 past Fran Escriba’s side over three previous meetings this season and when Fajr was sent off moments after Messi had converted from the spot in the second half, following a foul on Neymar, this contest was all but over.
Brazilian Neymar twice latched on to through-balls from Messi to slot past goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton on 69 and 71 minutes and then his Argentine strike partner shimmied to wrong-foot a defender and add the fifth with two minutes left to play.
Neymar had the chance to secure a hat-trick late on but instead decided to square the ball for Pedro, who tapped home from a few yards out.
Barcelona have now won six consecutive games in all competitions and keep the pressure on their arch-rivals at the top the league.
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