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MADRID. — Barcelona kept pace with Real Madrid at the top of Spanish La Liga on Saturday as Luis Suarez and Neymar once again compensated for the absence of Lionel Messi with a goal apiece in a 2-0 win at Getafe. Madrid were comfortable 3-1 winners over Las Palmas thanks to goals from Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez. Neymar and Suarez have now combined for Barca’s last 14 league goals since Messi went down with knee ligament damage over a month ago.

However, it was Sergi Roberto who shone brightest for Barca as his stunning backheel assist freed Suarez for the opener before also crossing for Neymar to volley home the second to cap off a rapid counter-attack. “I think we played a very intelligent game,” Suarez told Canal Plus.

“We controlled the ball during the whole game and tried to find the space we could.” However, the former Liverpool man denied he and Neymar’s relationship was making it easy to forget Messi in his absence. “People remember him just as well because he is the best player in the world.”

On-loan Celtic striker Stefan Scepovic had Getafe’s best opportunity of the game 12 minutes in, but he scuffed his shot wide with just Claudio Bravo to beat and with that went Getafe’s chance of causing an upset. Barca’s dominance in possession was rewarded with a brilliantly crafted opening goal as Roberto flicked Neymar’s cross perfectly into Suarez’s path and the Uruguayan kept his cool to register his 300th career goal for club and country. Roberto was at the heart of the second goal just before the hour mark too as Bravo collected a corner and bowled the ball out for the midfielder, who carried it forward before picking out Neymar and the Brazilian fired a volley in at the near post.

Madrid also enjoyed an easy afternoon despite missing a host of star names against La Liga newcomers Las Palmas. — AFP.