体坛英语新闻：Late Messi goals put sheen on Barca win

MADRID, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique commented in the press conference ahead of Saturday's BBVA Primera Liga game at home to struggling Cordoba that 2014 had been a great year for him and that returning to the club he represented as a player was like moving to 'Disneyland.'

Although Barca's routine 5-0 win at home to struggling Cordoba was far from being a trip to the magic kingdom, it was, in the second half at least, an improvement on the Mickey Mouse display his side had produced in Getafe a week earlier and means they will end 2014 just one point behind Real Madrid all be it having played an extra game.

Luis Enrique decided against starting with Brazilian striker Neymar in his side, preferring Pedro to striker, who has struggled with an ankle injury all week.

That faith was rewarded in just the second minute, when Ivan Rakitic picked out Pedro's run and set him up to open the score with a well-taken finish.

It was Pedro's third league goal of the season and Barca almost doubled their 11 minutes when Luis Suarez went close, before Nabil Ghilas' shot into the side netting warned Barca that although they were controlling the ball Cordoba pose a threat on the break, although on the whole the visitors were content to sit deep with two well-organized defensive lines to frustrate the Catalans.

Leo Messi, Andres and Pedro all tried to extend Barca's lead, but were frustrated by the visitors defense before goalkeeper Juan Carlos sent a Jordi Alba shot for a corner in the stroke of halftime.

Luis Suarez's first league goal since joining from Liverpool doubled Barca's lead seven minutes into the second half. He Uruguayan controlled a pass from Pedro to calmly finish a move begun by Andres Iniesta.

Rakitic's powerful shot from outside of the area in the 56th minute cold have sealed the game for Barca, but the ball bounced back off the woodwork and the Croatian was replaced by Xavi Hernandez soon afterwards.

Xavi's appearance was his 741st official match for his club and sees him equal former Real Madrid striker, Raul Gonzalez's record number of outfield appearances, so it was fitting he provided the cross which allowed Gerard Pique to head home Barca's third of the game with 10 minutes remaining.

Two minutes later Messi added his side's fourth as a loose ball in the Cordoba penalty area fell kindly for him to beat Juan Carlos and he netted a fifth in injury time to give the score a sheen, which perhaps Barca's football did not entirely deserve.