Barcelona cruised to victory with a 4-0 triumph against Real Sociedad to move to the top of the La Liga table.

The visitors gave the hosts a scare when Sergio Gomez put the ball past Wojciech Szczesny to seemingly give Sociedad an early lead, before the goal was ruled out for offside.

The game turned in Barcelona's favour in the 17th minute, as Aritz Elustondo was sent off for a foul on Dani Olmo, and within 12 minutes, the hosts had all but sealed the win, with goals from unlikely sources in Gerard Martin and Marc Casado.

The hosts made absolutely sure of the victory in the second half, as Ronald Araujo nodded in from close range to make it 3-0, before Robert Lewandowski completed the scoring a few minutes later.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

This was as dominant a win as Barcelona could have wished for heading into today, as they made Sociedad pay for their early red card.

Apart from the very early scare with the disallowed goal, the visitors offered very little, which is understandable in the circumstances, and it was essentially a training session as soon as Barca had a two-goal lead.

Now that Barcelona have the advantage in the title race, it is down to them to ensure that they hold onto it in the closing months of the campaign.

The visitors will look to put this game behind them as soon as possible, as they switch their focus to their Europa League campaign again on Thursday.

BARCELONA VS. REAL SOCIEDAD HIGHLIGHTS

Aritz Elustondo red card vs. Barcelona (17h min, Barcelona 0-0 Real Sociedad)

Elustondo has been sent for a very early bath here, as he has been sent off for a foul on Olmo as he was racing towards goal! It already looks like it will be a very difficult afternoon for the visitors!

Gerard Martin goal vs. Real Sociedad (25th min, Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad)

Some lovely play by Lamine Yamal, who sits down a defender before he picks out Olmo in the box, before he finds Martin at the back post and calmly puts in his first ever goal for Barcelona!

29th min: Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad (Marc Casado)

Barca have their second, and it is another unlikely goalscorer! Casado gets the slightest of touches on Olmo's shot to claim his first goal in Barcelona colours!

56th min: Barcelona 3-0 Real Sociedad (Ronald Araujo)

Another defender gets in on the act! Raphinha swings in a corner for the hosts and Araujo is on hand to put the game beyond any doubt!

60th min: Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad (Robert Lewandowski)

With 30 minutes to go, this could be anything now! Lewandowski is the latest to get on the act, as he fires in with a real poacher's effort, getting on the end of Araujo's original attempt.

MAN OF THE MATCH - DANI OLMO

He did not get on the scoresheet, but he ran the show until he was subbed off in the second half.

Two assists and a major part in the red card that helped turn this into a comfortable afternoon's work for the hosts.

BARCELONA VS. REAL SOCIEDAD MATCH STATS

Possession: Barcelona 77%-23% Real Sociedad
Shots: Barcelona 33-0 Real Sociedad
Shots on target: Barcelona 10-0 Real Sociedad
Corners: Barcelona 12-0 Real Sociedad
Fouls: Barcelona 15-6 Real Sociedad

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Barcelona turn their attention to their Champions League campaign, as they travel to Portugal to take on Benfica in Lisbon in the first leg of their knockout tie.

The two sides met in the league phase of the competition back in January, when they played out a nine-goal thriller that Barcelona won 5-4.

Meanwhile, Sociedad are also in European action during the week, as they host Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday evening.