Suarez steps up in Lionel Messi's absence to guide Barcelona to El Clasico win

A penalty, a wonderful header and a gorgeously weighted dink. Luis Suarez turned on the style at Camp Nou to help his Barcelona side on the way to three huge points in La Liga, securing a 5-1 victory to help take Ernesto Valverde's side seven points clear of rivals Real Madrid in the early stages of the title race.

Plenty was made before kick-off regarding Lionel Messi's absence. Supposedly dependent on the Argentine, despite their comfortable 2-0 win over Inter in Champions League action midweek, Suarez stepped up to show that he could help to bridge the gap, just as he has done in years gone by.

A comfortable first-half showing saw the Blaugrana into the break with a 2-0 lead and plenty of reason to feel confident. Real Madrid couldn't rely on the likes of Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale to step up when in need of goals themselves, as the Uruguayan demonstrated how to perform when the pressure is on.

Julen Lopetegui's side came back out for the second half reinvigorated. A change of system and personnel helped to turn the tide in their favour, mustering up a goal from Marcelo and conjuring up some considerable doubts in what had been a very happy Camp Nou. After striking the post when the scoreline stood at 2-1, Suarez stepped it up another notch.

Clinical

Craning his neck magnificently to guide a powerful cross from Sergi Roberto beyond the dive of Thibaut Courtois to make it three, Suarez was alert to nip in behind the visitors' back four just eight minutes later to make it four. This time, as opposed to a thumping header, Suarez showed the more delicate side to his game, clipping a lovely finish over the onrushing Courtois from a tight angle.

While Bale and Benzema struggled to get going in El Clasico either as part of a front three or a more central striking partnership, Suarez did the work of several men. Buzzing around with intent, keen to chase and harry off the ball and link up with those around him on it, he showed the associative sparkle that helps him to bring the best out of Messi, as well as the killer instinct that made him a star man before joining Barça.

His merciless attitude and edge has long proved key in the biggest fixture of Barcelona's league calendar. Boasting eight goals in his first 11 El Clasico outings, Suarez is a specialist, becoming just the sixth player at the club to rack up such a tally. It is on the biggest stages, where the pressure is at its highest and the margins for error are at their tightest, that Suarez makes his presence known.

Messi watched on from the stands in Camp Nou with a fractured arm, safe in the knowledge that Suarez has another side to his game. When Messi is deployed by Valverde, the Uruguayan's chemistry and friendship with him helps to bring the best out of a player that can do limitless amounts of damage. When the Argentine can't be counted on, the competitive drive and bite that Suarez offers when battling alone up top is tough to be rivalled.

Hat-trick hero

Since joining Barcelona back in 2014, Suarez hasn't had to be the main man - but he has never taken his foot off the gas in a situation where he probably could. Injury problems have taken their toll at times, while the relentless schedule of football for both club and country isn't productive for an ageing striker who doesn't know how to give less than 100 per cent.

Suarez has been harsh on his own body through the sheer desire to play each week, but after a much-needed rest during the most recent international break, El Clasico was another opportunity to show exactly what a fit and focused Luis Suarez can do. Three goals, three points and one considerable leap towards a less stressful title race for Barcelona.

'No mercy,' read the headline of Catalan daily newspaper SPORT for the day of the derby. . The 31-year-old striker isn't in the business of playing in second gear - i News