SEVILLE (AFP) - Ten-man Barcelona have earned a hard-fought 4-1 win at struggling Sevilla with goals by Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia to edge closer to the top of LaLiga.
The win lifted third-placed Barca to 48 points, one behind Atletico Madrid in second and two off leaders Real Madrid after the capital rivals drew 1-1 on Saturday.
Sevilla, without a win in three league games, are in 13th spot on 28 points.
Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead from close range in the seventh minute but Ruben Vargas hit straight back to equalize for the home side from a quick counter a minute later.
Lopez came off the bench and put Barca in front again two minutes after the break and Raphinha extended their lead in the 55th minute with a brilliant strike from outside the box.
Five minutes later, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Lopez was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Djibril Sow, but they held off Sevilla and managed to score their fourth through Eric Garcia’s header in the 89th minute.