SBYDOWNLOAD: Barcelona opened up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga by overcoming rivals Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona opened up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga by overcoming rivals Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.

Neymar's low finish and a sublime chip by Alexis Sanchez sent Real to a second defeat in four league games.

Brazil forward Neymar beat Diego Lopez with a right-foot finish before Sanchez settled the game with a 20-yard chip.

Real's Karim Benzema hit the bar before Jese Rodriguez scored a consolation in stoppage time after a strong run by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Gareth Bale started but has still to complete a full 90 minutes for Real in La Liga after being substituted on the hour.

Fortress Nou Camp

Barcelona have won their past 20 home matches in La Liga, a run stretching 12 months.

The 24-year-old Wales international, a world record £85m signing from Tottenham last month, rarely threatened in his forward role and was booked for a foul on Barca defender Gerard Pique, one of seven cautions in a fiercely contested game.

Instead it was Barca's Neymar, who cost £36m less than Bale, who took centre stage. His third La Liga goal in 10 appearances settled a tense game that failed to live up to its billing as the most anticipated fixture in the world.

Real, now six points behind Barca 10 games into the season, did not come alive until after the interval.

By then the hosts had established the lead, Neymar's composed finish rounding off a free-flowing move involving Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.

Lionel Messi should have doubled the lead two minutes later but fired wide after sloppy play in the Real defence.

It said much about Real's performance that their first chance of the half did not arrive until the 44th minute, Valdes denying Germany midfielder Sami Khedira from close range with his knee.

Valdes again came to his side's rescue after Iniesta lost possession and Luka Modric carved out an opening for Ronaldo.

But after Benzema's terrific strike rattled the Barca bar in the 72nd minute and Ronaldo had a penalty appeal waved away after a challenge by Javier Mascherano, Real were undone by a moment of pure brilliance by substitute Sanchez.

The Chile international beat Lopez, who was standing off his line, from 20-yards with a perfect chip 12 minutes from time.

Real did find the net in stoppage time, Rodriguez firing home after being set up by Ronaldo.

But that failed to take the gloss off Barca's victory, their first over Real in four attempts in La Liga.

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (7) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)

Barcelona

01 Valdés
22 Dani Alves
21 Adriano Booked
16 Busquets Booked
14 Mascherano
03 Piqué
06 Xavi
08 Iniesta (Song - 77' )
04 Fábregas (Sánchez - 70' )
10 Messi
11 Neymar (Pedro - 84' )

Substitutes

02 Montoya
05 Puyol
07 Pedro
09 Sánchez
13 Pinto Colorado
17 Song
24 Sergi

Real Madrid

25 López
15 Carvajal
12 Marcelo Booked
04 Ramos Booked (Illarramendi - 56' )
02 Varane
03 Pepe
06 Khedira Booked
19 Modric
11 Bale Booked (Benzema - 61' )
22 Di María (Jesé - 76' )
07 Ronaldo Booked

Substitutes

01 Casillas
05 Fábio Coentrão
09 Benzema
17 Arbeloa
20 Jesé
23 Isco
24 Illarramendi

Ref: Alberto Undiano Mallenco

Att: 98,761

MATCH STATS

Shots

1210

On target

Corners

Fouls

1916

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full TimeMatch ends, Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1.

90:00+3:01Full time

Full TimeSecond Half ends, Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1.

90:00+2:21

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Luka Modric.

90:00+2:20

Attempt blocked. Dani Alves (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lionel Messi.

90:00+1:30

Pedro (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.

90:00+1:30

Foul by Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid).

90:00+0:20Goal scored

Goal!Goal! Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1. Jesé (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo following a fast break.