Alexis Sanchez Scored A Nifty Little Goal For Barcelona Today

Didn't take long for the reigning Best Club Team In The World to bounce back from an unexpected loss to Getafe over the weekend. Three days, actually. Against patsy Rayo Valllecano.

Rayo surprised Barça with an adventurous approach but failed to take their chances. Alexis, who Barça signed from Udinese in July for a fee that could rise to €38m (£32.5m), lifted his side with a superb individual goal, curling a shot in off the far post. He then pounced on a loose ball to double the lead before Gerard Piqué surged out of defence to set in motion the move which ended with Villa scoring the third.

Messi, the world player of the year, wrapped up the scoring in the 49th minute as Barça enjoyed a La Liga-record 11th consecutive home game without conceding a goal. That run stretches back to April, when Almeria were beaten 3-1. [ The Guardian]