Mallorca 1-5 Barça: Emphatic away win

After three LaLiga matchday fixtures without a victory, Barça have defeated Mallorca 1-5 at the Son Moix stadium to get back to winning ways. A very welcome three points to change the dynamic of recent weeks and to go into the remaining December fixtures in good heart. Torres, Raphinha (2), De Jong and Victor scored the goals that sees the lead at the top of the LaLiga table extended to four points as it stands.

Only a win would do

Hansi Flick freshened up his starting eleven, notably including Ferran Torres for the most advanced role, with Lewandowski one of the substitutes. He was joined by Iñaki Peña, Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, and Balde as the defensive unit, Pedri, Casadó, and Olmo in midfield, with captain Raphinha and Lamine Yamal completing the forward line.

The first few minutes of the game saw the blaugranes settling into their familiar style. Mallorca had a more direct approach and Barça were holding a good line to catch them offside. The Catalans were largely controlling the match apart from a few counterattacks by the Balearic Islands side that didn't pose too much of a threat.

Torres torments Mallorca

Barça made the most of their superiority to go ahead with the first clear chance of the game. A mix up in defence between Valjent and Mojica saw Ferran quickest to react to the loose ball to take over the scoring mantle from Lewandowski and put the visitors in front (0-1, min. 11). The forward could have made it two after good work by Balde, but Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Román thwarted the Spaniard's effort (min. 19).

Muriqui levels things up

Albeit the Catalans continued to show more attacking prowess, the goal saw Mallorca step things up offensively. Their defence also tightened up to frustrate the visitors' efforts, further emboldening Arrassate's side as the first half went on. So much so that when Maffeo got behind the blaugrana defence right before half-time, his pass to Muriqui saw the striker culminate the comeback with a goal (1-1, min. 44).

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha star in second half

The blaugranes looked to restore the lead after the restart and it didn't take long. Olmo passed to Lamine Yamal and Mojica fouled the forward inside the area with just the keeper to beat. Penalty called and up stepped Raphinha to fire powerfully into the left side of the goal (1-2, min. 55).

Both forwards were involved again as the blaugranes went 3-1 up, Lamine Yamal with a wonderfully measured pass from the right to find Raphinha arriving at the far post to complete his brace (min. 74).

Still time for substitutes Frenkie de Jong and Pau Víctor to round off this resounding win. The Netherlands midfielder made the most of a rebound to score the fourth, while the Catalan striker finished the fifth after an interception. No fewer than five goals and welcome return to form for Barça in LaLiga.