MADRID — Alexis Sanchez struck twice and created a goal for Neymar as Barcelona recovered from conceding early to maintain their perfect La Liga start with a 4-1 win at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday.
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An eighth victory in eight games for the champions restored their five-point advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid who needed a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure a 3-2 victory at Levante earlier.
Valladolid forward Javi Guerra silenced the Nou Camp when he headed in a corner in the 10th minute, but Barça were level four minutes later when Alexis lashed the ball home from just outside the penalty area.
Cristian Tello squared for Xavi to sidefoot the ball after the break before Neymar had Alexis clear on the right and he sent a precise shot into the far corner.
The Chilean returned the compliment by setting up the Brazil forward Neymar to make it 4-1 six minutes later as Barça, who have also won both Champions League outings this season, continued their impressive form under new coach Gerardo Martino.
Real turned in another disappointing domestic performance at Levante following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Atletico.
They twice had to come from behind at Levante’s Ciutat de Valencia Stadium before Ronaldo rifled a 94th-minute shot from the corner of the area and it glanced off a defender before deflecting into the net off a post.
