At the Nou Camp Neymar stepped up to the plate in style when charged with the task of stepping into the boots of the absent Lionel Messi.

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Rayo took a shock lead on 14 minutes through Javi Guerra, but Neymar turned the game on its head by winning and scoring two penalties before half-time.

The visitors squandered a couple of chances to level in the second half and were made to pay by the Brazilian, who scored twice more in the space of a minute and then laid on a classy cross for Luis Suarez to bag the fifth. Rayo's Jozabed hit a late consolation goal, but it was very much Neymar's night.

Those results saw Spain's big two move two points clear of Villarreal, who face Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, Sevilla came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at Eibar – but their unconvincing away form should concern them heading into Wednesday's Champions League visit to Manchester City.

Borja Baston gave in-form Eibar an early lead but the mid-table Andalusian visitors improved in the second half and drew level through Kevin Gameiro's close-range effort on 71 minutes.

In the late kick-offs, Valencia posted a convincing 3-0 home win over Malaga and mid-table Espanyol gave their season a boost with an impressive 3-1 triumph at Real Betis.

Malaga striker Charles was on target at the wrong end to hand Los Che a 19th-minute lead at the Mestalla, and Andre Gomes doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute before Dani Parejo sealed matters by converting an 88th-minute penalty.

Enzo Roco headed Espanyol into a fourth-minute lead at the Estadio Benito Villamarin and goals early in the second half from Felipe Caicedo and Victor Sanchez put the result beyond doubt before Vincenzo Rennella's late consolation for the hosts.