Barcelona came from a goal down to defeat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 and restore their seven-point lead at the top of La Liga on Saturday.

On-loan Real Madrid striker Raul De Tomas opened the scoring for Rayo, who have now lost six successive league games, but Gerard Pique equalised before half-time and the hosts scored twice more in the second half through a Lionel Messi penalty and Luis Suarez.

Barca came into the match on the back of league and cup wins over Real Madrid and with coach Ernesto Valverde warning they needed to focus on this encounter ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Lyon.

“Coming back in matches? Well it’s good because we eventually win but I’m not happy because we concede first,” said the Blaugrana chief.