Barcelona halt their bad run

FC Barcelona beat UD Almería 1-2 in the La Liga BBVA matchday 11. An important lift for Luis Enrique's men, who were a goal down in the first half and encountered an Almería side who were playing well, but came back to win the match.

The Andalusian side took the game to the Azulgranas, working hard and pressuring across the pitch, allowing their opponents few shots on goal. Leo Messi had a couple of early chances, but the Argentinean was denied first by Rubén and then the crossbar.

Almería stayed compact at the back, and began making gains further up the pitch. With the home crowd roaring them on, they dug deep, and the breakthrough came. Just before half time Messi lost possession in attack and the ball fell to Thievy, who broke upfield and beat a number of men before slotting his shot past keeper Claudio Bravo.

Luis Enrique's side reacted well in the second half. Luis Suárez and Neymar joined the fray, adding menace to the attack. The Uruguayan was denied by the woodwork, but soon after, in the 73rd minute, he laid on an assist for Neymar, finding him in the six-yard box, and from there the Brazilian made no mistake. Barcelona upped the ante, and a short while later were ahead 1-2 through Jordi Alba. So it stayed: three points for Barcelona, who returned to winning ways.