Neymar scores four as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano

Madrid: Brazilian striker Neymar was FC Barcelona's hero as the Catalan side defeated Rayo Vallecano 5-2 in a game which highlighted their firepower.

Barca had scored six goals in each of their last two home matches against Rayo and should have been 2-0 ahead inside the first 10 minutes during the match on Saturday, Xinhua reported.

In the first chance Rakitic broke the offside trap to see how the keeper saved well with his foot, while Suarez also saw Tono's foot deny him when totally unmarked in the middle of the penalty area.

They were to prove expensive misses as Javi Guerra put Rayo ahead from close range as Barca failed to deal with a short corner on 15 minutes.

The lead only lasted six minutes after Diego Llorente brought down Neymar, who picked himself up to score from the penalty spot.

He then turned Nacho inside out to draw another penalty in the 32nd minute, before again stepping up to again to stroke the ball past Tono.

The Rayo keeper then did well to save from Sergio Roberto shortly afterwards, before Neymar went down under another challenge Nacho only for the referee to wave play on.

At the other end Neymar was guilty of passing when he should have shot when through on goal, but he finished his hat-trick in the 69th minute after Tono could only parry a powerful Suarez shot.

He netted his fourth of the night after Busquets put Suarez through for him to again tee up the Brazilian and then turned provider to return the favour for Suarez.