Barcelona 3-1 Elche result - Barca overcome battling visitors to keep in touch with table-topping Real Madrid in La Liga

BARCELONA ASSERT THEMSELVES FOR VICTORY OVER IMPRESSIVE ELCHE

Two early mistakes ultimately cost Elche two points, or even three, against under-pressure Barcelona, who could settle for nothing short of victory as they chase high-flying Real Madrid.

After failing to get anything out of a strong start and plenty of possession in the opening 10 minutes, the away side let their hosts through twice inside three first-half minutes. Barcelona, when gifted such opportunities, rarely let them go begging.

The home side’s first goal came about as Alejandro Balde was gifted the ball from David Affengruber as the defender looked to break out of the Elche half. Balde powered forward towards the box as Lamine Yamal charged in on the right. The young superstar turned the ball onto his left, wrapped his foot around it and curled it into the far corner for a sumptuous goal.

Barca’s second, mere minutes later, was the result of a slip from Adria Pedrosa, leapt on by Fermin Lopez. The winger raced down the left and swung a low ball into the feet of Ferran Torres, where all Torres had to do was tap it home.

A third first-half goal would have sewn up the game for Barcelona, but instead of rolling over, Elche fought back. With three minutes left of the 45, Rafa Mir ran out of his own half onto a ball by Alvaro Nunez and bent a pinpoint strike round the outstretched gloves of Wojciech Szczesny. Elche had hope going into the dressing room.
That did not last long after the half, however. They came out of the blocks and Mir almost grabbed an equaliser with a shot that skimmed the top of the bar.
But Barcelona were just better and looking to put the match beyond doubt. The moment of truth came when Fermin sent a long ball from the right to Marcus Rashford on the left. Rashford controlled the ball, took on the defender and smashed it home to seal the result even with half an hour to play.
Elche kept fighting, and managed to make a few more chances, but they never looked like pulling it back. Still a respectable result against Barcelona in their first season back in La Liga. The Valencian side battled to the end for what was at least a noble defeat.

It is the big two within two results at the top of La Liga with 11 games played. Too early to say this one is going the distance but with their current injury woes, Barcelona can be fairly content to say they are very much in touch.

It's gone pretty much the way we expected, even as it wasn't the domination a small period of play early on suggested it might have been. Elche refused to say die, even to the end, and might consider themselves hard done by.

And winning it in the middle of the park. They're down but refusing to be out, even at this late point in proceedings.

Even if it was double that I don't think it would be enough for Elche. They've played well but they needed more.

He's had a decent game, albeit a touch hit and miss, and the job is all but done.

Onto the cross from Santiago, it's a low percentage effort but a decent try.

Time is literally running out for Elche. And I think they're running out of steam, having done a lot of running today.

John Nwankwo takes the place of Adria Pedrosa. Elche really need something soon with at most ten minutes remaining.

They might only be holding a low pair, but they're playing like they've got trips. They're not folding like a cheap suitcase and it's kept things interesting in this final phase, if nothing else.

Fermin set him up nicely in space but it's miles over from Lamine Yamal. Ought to have done better.

But Elche's number 10 just gets on top of it and bounces it safely into the arms of Szczesny.

As Elche look to find their way back into this in the last fifteen minutes. They're keeping the pressure on, that's for sure.

Not a bad day at the office for Rashford.

Charges in from the left and snaps one against the legs of a defender. The resultant set piece finds him and his second shot in as many minutes is a less accurate attempt, sailing away to the right, high and behind.

Yago Santiago on for German Valera.

Hector Fort on for Pedro Bigas.

Put through by Pedrosa, this time he whips one off the right post, perhaps put off by the rushing Szczesny.

Dani Olmo comes on for Fermin Lopez.

We saw it in the first half, and 3-1 can be a dangerous scoreline.