Barcelona go top after autumnal stroll against Eibar

A brisk autumnal stroll at the compact Ipurua was how today's LaLiga clash transpired after Barcelona had little trouble in putting the Basque side to the sword.

Goals from attacking trio (Messi, Suarez and Griezmann) were enough to see the game beyond doubt as Ter Stegen had one of the quietest games the keeper will have ever have in a Barça shirt.

Eibar made a contest of proceedings in the first half and created a few openings with better final balls and precision letting the Basque side down. 

Barça now turn their attention to a visit to Prague in the Champions League with Eibar in action next against Valladolid.

Barcelona dominating the final moments of the game as Eibar's thoughths turn to Valladolid. 

Barcelona vs Eibar (11 games played) 10 wins for Barça and just 1 draw between both sides.

Into the final minute we go. 3 minutes to be added. A complete walk in the part here in Ipurua in the second half 

Expositio carded on his debut.

Card for Inui. The Japan international fouls Vidal.

Suarez almost makes it 4 as the ball drifts just wide 

This is a real Jekyll and Hyde performance from Eibar who have been awfulk in the seocdn 45'. 

Messi over the ball..... Perfect position for the Barça 10... hits and over.... 

Alvarez carded for a foul on Messi. danger here for Eibar with the kick on the edge of the box.

January of this year against Leganes was the last time Kike bagged a goal for the Basque outfit.

Charles off-Kike on for Eibar 

Rakitic on for De Jong.

Ter Stegen has been a virtual spectator this afternoon.

Luis Suarez celebrates his goal at Ipurua earlier this afternoon.

Less than 20' remianing at Ipurua and it would appear a forgone conclusion that the three points are heading to the Catalan capital today.

Change for Barcelona too with Vidal on for Arthur.

Change for Eibar as Enrich makes way for Inui

Barça spring the offside trap as Messi feeds suarez who taps home

Vidal warming up on the Ipurua touchline

Exposito makes his debut as he takes the place of Pedro Leon.

Can Eibar dig deep and turn things around? From what we've seen so far, optimism levels would suggest not.     

Hang on... VAR on the line...no all okay.. goal stands... Messi's second of the season.

Nicely worked strike from the Catalan side with Suarez, Griezmann and Messi all instrumentalk in the goal.

Messi on the ball. The argentine has been quiet today.

De Jong does well on the flank feeding Suarez but the Barça striker drives the ball straight at Dimitrovic.

Eibar pressing with a high defensive line as a hush descends over Ipurua. This small ground normally generates a fine atmpsphere but quieter today.

7,295 the official attendance at Ipurua today.

Offside is the verdict ... still 0-1

The ball is in the net but it's been ruled out for offside. Yes ever so slightly in an offside position the Uruguayan striker but VAR is being consulted.

Off we go... 

Semedo on for Sergi Roberto at HT.

The sides make their way from the tunnel. 

HT in Ipurua and Griezmann's goal the difference. Individual impresecion Eibar's  problem in a well posied match.

Once again a poor first touch lets Eibar down as Enrich over hits the ball and a decent half chance escapes.

Eibar launch yet another ball into the Barça box but have yet to cause real problems for the men in yellow. This pass from De Blasis overhit.  

Dimitrovic quick again with his power of reaction saving Eibar yet again.

Eibar's work rate is impressive with the attacking players giving the Barcelona defemders no time on the ball.

Suarez and Griezmann celebrate the opening goal of the game.

Solid spell of possession from Barcelona now as they move the ball around with poise and composure.

Delightful ball from Orellana into the Barcelona box with no player in a red and blue shirt on hand. Messi at the other end tears into the Eibar box but a fine finger tip stop from the Serbian keeper as he claws the ball away from the Barça player's feet.

The scoreline flatters the visitors somewhat but Eibar have been sloppy with a high number of unforced errors letting Mendilibar's side down.

Close shave as Eibar threaten. Cote's deliveries from the left hand side causing problems for the Barcelona rear-guard.

Pape Diop carded for a foul on De Jong and Charles carded too for complaining.

Orellana works the ball into the danger zone but mis times his pass.  

Free for Eibar, Orellana poised. Too far out for the Chilean to shoot ... Opts to pass but Cote slips and the move breaks down 

A series of poor first touches from three Eibar players just as the Basque side had worked themselves into a promoising position.

Possession on the 20' mark

A major setback for the home side just as they were establishing a foothold in the action. How much will the Basque side rue the miss from Pedro Leon ? 

Long ball from Lenglet who finds his compatriot who bides his time well to fire past Dimitrovic for his fourth goal of the season.

Great chance for Pedro Leon but the man from Murcia gets under the ball and fires over. 

Eibar do look nervy in defence with Barcelona just failing to find the final ball with fine build-up play.   

Great play from Arbilla who is eventually upended by Umtiti as Cote delivers a testing ball which Barcelona force away for a corner. Eibar have clawed their way back into the action after a nervy opening.   

Delightful pass from Messi who almost sends Alba through but Dimitrovic in the Eibar goal is alert.

Suarez tries an ambitious long range effort from his own half spotting Eibar's keeper off his line but the ball drifts wide.

Lenglet fouls Charles and Eibar win a dangerous free-kick. Orellana to take...The Chilean delivers a dangerous ball with Enrich inches away from establishing contact.   

Barcelona looking impressive in the early minutes with Eibar happy to launch long balls down the channels. 

The whistle sounds and we're underway at Ipurua. 

Both sides take to the pitch at a packed Ipurua now with a current capacity of 8,000 after recent expansion work. 

AS English analysts predictions: 

Cal - Eibar 2-2 Barça 

Rob - Eibar 1-2 Barça

Neil- Eibar 0-2 Barça

and I'll go for a 1-3 in for Valverde's men who I think will be too strong for the Basque side.

Barça warming up at Ipurua.

Barcelona opting for their Messi, Suarez and Griezmann front three option today with the Catalan side netting twice as many goals to date this season compared to Eibar (20 vs.10).  

Can David overcome Goliath today? The Basque side have never beaten FC Barcelona in ten LaLiga games.

With no Clasico next week-end, the Catalan side travel to Prague mid-week and then have a free week-end. Eibar travel to Valladolid. 

The players are on the pitch warming up as kick-off looms closer. 

Newly laid surface at Ipurua today with hybrid grass laid which should deal better with the wet Basque winter.

Eibar today in their home kit which was actually inspired by the Barça azul-grana kit after the Catalan club lent a set of shirts to the Basque side some decades ago.

Today's Eibar weather for the match: 18C with no rain forecast dring the action.

A reminder of today's starting XIs 

In their ten meetings in Eibar's five seasons in LaLiga, the Basque side have lost nine  and claimed just one draw.

And some viewing .... A few years back, Copa 90 travelled to the Basque town to chronicle their first campaign in the top flight

Some fine pre-match reading from author of the book "Eibar the Brave" (Euan McTear) chronicling Eibar's time in Spain's top flight. 

and the Barcelona XI 

Teams are out: Eibar XI  

Kick-off today is at 13:00 CEST.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from Ipurua in the Basque Country as Eibar face FC Barcelona.