After a start to the season filled with hope, Xavi's project at Barcelona endured its first serious wobble over the last two weeks, following a draw with Inter that has all but dumped them out of the Champions League and a convincing defeat at the hands of Real Madrid.
But spectators weren't able to tell the Blaugrana's ego had been bruised against Villarreal. From the first whistle, they dominated possession and moved up the gears well. Chances were coming and they finally drew first blood after half an hour when who else than Robert Lewandowski finished off a brilliant sequence involving Pedri and Jordi Alba.
He only needed a few more minutes after the first went in to grab his second, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and curling it into the back of the net beautifully. Suddenly, Villarreal were in trouble. But before they could realise that, Xavi's side had put the game out of sight, with Ansu Fati making it 3-0; a third goal in seven minutes.
Game, set, match. Barcelona were in cruise control after the break, toying with their visitors who now stared down the barrel of the gun that condemned them to a fifth successive away defeat in La Liga, without scoring.
Camp Nou was in full voice, and understandably so considering the performance they were treated to. The cheer that De Jong received when making way for Sergio Busquets was telling of his evening, as Barcelona cruised to the final whistle without really breaking a sweat.
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