Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang scored twice as Barcelona rioted at the Mestalla and beat Valencia 4-1 to return to La Liga’s top four on Sunday.
Aubameyang’s double Frankie de Jong came on either side of the tap-in as Barca hit free-flowing Valencia with three goals in 15 minutes at the end of the first half.
And while Valencia briefly raised hopes of a comeback, when Carlos Soler led in a Brian Gil cross after half-time, a surprise strike from Pedri, which skimmed Aubameyang’s back, completed Barcelona’s impressive victory. .
Aubameyang made two La Liga substitute appearances before starting against Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday, but it was his first league debut for Barcelona since Arsenal terminated his contract last month.
The 32-year-old was at his pin-point best as he ran clear and fired his second and Barcelona’s third before bundling at the back post to open the scoring.
Despite Atletico’s win in Osasuna on Saturday, the victory lifted Barca above Atletico Madrid on goal difference. Second-placed Sevilla had earlier gone down 1-1 at Espanyol, taking Real Madrid to the top of the table on six points.
Barcelona’s quick-fire treble began with a simple chip off Jordi Alba, but Aubameyang still had work to do, as the striker tamed the ball on his third bounce and pushed it high into the net under pressure from Omar Aldert. Fired.
The second was more complicated, a brilliant team goal going through Sergio Busquets and Alba before Ousmane Dembele generously side-footed de Jong to the end.
Dembele was also crucial for third, as his through ball released Gavi, which crossed the back post where Aubameyang had tapped for third.
Pedri ends Valencia fightback
Valencia thought they had a goal before half-time via Soler’s acrobatic finish, but it was ruled out when replays showed the ball had rolled for a throw-in during the build-up. .
Soler, however, scored again shortly after the start, reviving Valencia from the left in a whipped cross from Gil, who pushed for a second, with Soler closing in with a long-distance drive. Gone.
But Pedri killed their pace with his surprise-strike from afar, the youngster fired 40 yards off Aubameyang’s back and a surprise shot into the top corner, even though goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had better.
Sevilla stumbled again at Espanyol, another slip which means they have now won only once in their last five league games. Rafa Mir put Sevilla in front at Cornell but Sergi Darder equalized for Espanyol at the start of the second half.
Jules Condé was made it difficult to chase down Sevilla’s winner with 14 minutes remaining, although Joseph En-Nesiri had a golden chance in injury time, only to save his finish.
Anthony Martial, who joined Sevilla on loan from Manchester United in January, was injured in the first half and may now miss next weekend’s crunch derby at home to third-placed Real Betis.
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