Barca thrash Sevilla on perfect night ahead of big week

MADRID -- FC Barcelona will go into next week's 'Clasico' away to Real Madrid with a three-point lead at the top of La Liga after a 5-1 win at home to Sevilla on Sunday night.

A perfect night for Barcelona saw Robert Lewandowski score twice before halftime, while Pedri also netted to put the game beyond Sevilla's reach very early on.

Barca coach Hansi Flick was then able to rotate his side in the second half, giving minutes to youngsters ahead of a week that will see his side play massive games against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

After an even opening to the game, where Sevilla had looked to cause Barca's advanced defensive line problems on the break, Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead from the penalty spot.

Raphinha had found space in the Sevilla area, and Peque brought him down with a clumsy challenge as he looked to close him down, with Lewandowski then sending Sevilla goalkeeper Orlan Nyland the wrong way from the spot.

That goal saw Barca take command, and Pedri doubled Barca's lead in the 28th minute with a powerful shot into the corner of the net after a pullback from Lamine Yamal.

Lewandowski then reacted smartly to deflect Raphinha's shot into the Sevilla net to make it 3-0 six minutes before halftime.

Yamal saw a shot saved, and Raphinha had a goal ruled out for a tight offside in the opening minutes of the second half, but it felt as if Hansi Flick was content to run down the clock ahead of a key week for his side.

Lewandowski and Raphinha were substituted with 25 minutes left to play, with substitute Pablo Torre scoring Barca's fourth via a deflection in the 82nd minute before Gavi earned a huge cheer as he returned to action almost a year after suffering a serious knee injury.

Stanis Idumbo pulled a goal back for Sevilla, but Torre added a fifth for Barca with a free kick that evaded everyone to end up in the back of the Sevilla net.