Neymar opens account as Barca extend win streak

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Barcelona extended their winning start to their title defence to six games when Neymar scored his debut La Liga goal and Lionel Messi netted his seventh of the season in an entertaining 4-1 victory at home to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid gave another indication they may be challenging for the title come the end of the campaign with their sixth win in six matches.
Diego Costa struck twice in a 2-1 win at home to Osasuna to match Messi on seven for the season as Atletico joined Barca on a maximum 18 points, five ahead of Real Madrid, who play at promoted Elche on Wednesday.
Playing in the Nou Camp Barca went ahead in the third minute when Neymar bundled over the line after some indecision in the Sociedad defence.
World Player of the Year Messi made it 2-0 with a diving header from the Brazilian’s cross three minutes later and Sergio Busquets scored a rare goal to make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute.
They lost some of their intensity in the second half and Alberto de la Bella pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour.
Messi then set up substitute Marc Bartra to score from close range 13 minutes from time and snuff out any hopes of a Sociedad fightback.
“I am very happy with my first goal in La Liga but the most important thing was the victory,” Neymar said in a pitchside interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.
Martino has been alternately resting some of his key players in the early stages of the season and Messi was replaced with 10 minutes left and the forward looked less than pleased with the decision.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone has transformed the team since taking over at the end of 2011 and their success this season has in large measure been down to Costa’s excellent form.
The combative Brazilian opened the scoring in the 18th minute at the Calderon, sidefooting Juanfran’s cross past Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez, and made it 2-0 seven minutes later with a powerful header from Koke’s centre.
Oriol Riera stole in to volley past Thibaut Courtois shortly before halftime but Atletico comfortably held on to their lead to secure a morale-boosting win ahead of Saturday’s derby at Real’s Bernabeu stadium.
In Tuesday’s other games, Malaga won 2-0 at home to promoted Almeria to climb to seventh on eight points and Levante drew 1-1 against visiting Real Valladolid.