The incredible Messi now has 43 goals in all competitions in another astonishing season after opening the scoring with a first-half penalty and heading home a second goal after the break in the Catalan giant's first trip to Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on Sunday (AEDT). Barca had the opportunity to increase its lead at the summit with Real Madrid not in action until it faces struggling Levante on Monday (AEDT) and, despite not being at its fluent best, did enough to pick up all three points thanks to the irrepressible Messi. The leader can now turn its attention to a key week in which it faces Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday (AEDT), before locking horns with second-placed Madrid in a top-of-the table El Clasico at Camp Nou next Monday (AEDT). While Barca appears to have hit form at the right time, Eibar has now lost its last eight games and Gaizka Garitano's side looks set for a battle to avoid relegation. Barca star Neymar returned after serving a ban, but full-backs Dani Alves and Jordi Alba were unavailable due to suspension as Luis Enrique rung the changes with City and Madrid no doubt in mind. Ivan Rakitic was one recalled to the visitor's starting line-up, and the midfielder came close with a header in its first attack. Eibar was clearly not overawed by the challenge of facing in-form Barca despite being on a dreadful run, and the Catalan giant found it difficult to break the home side down until it was awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark. Borja Ekiza was the guilty party as he handled Messi's strike and although Jaime went the right way, he was unable to keep out the resulting spot-kick from the Argentina captain. Ekiza made a timely intervention to clear the danger after Messi raced into the penalty area and cut the ball back from the byline, and Luis Suarez slid in and fired a shot off target just before the break as Barca finished the first half strongly. Neymar could have doubled Barca's lead seven minutes into the second period, but Jaime did well to come off his line to deny the Brazil forward after Messi had played him in with a lovely pass. Barca did not have long to wait for a second goal, though, and yet again it was Messi on target as he met Rakitic's corner with a stooping header that bounced up off the slick turf and found the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half. Xavi came on to replace Rakitic to make his 750th competitive appearance for Barca midway through the second half with the points seemingly secured. Eibar showed plenty of fight but lacked the class to break down Barca - although Federico Piovaccari hit the bar in the 89th minute - and Luis Enrique can now turn his attention to two huge home matches against City and Madrid.
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