Madrid: Luis Suarez scored a hat trick as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Eibar 3-1 on Sunday, joining Real Madrid atop the Spanish league standings.
Eibar surprised early at the Camp Nou with a goal by striker Borja Baston in the 10th minute, but Suarez helped the defending champions rally with goals in the 21st, 48th and 85th minutes.
Barcelona played the final minutes with 10 men after defender Javier Mascherano was sent off with a straight red card.
Barcelona and Madrid have 21 points each after nine rounds, but Madrid remained ahead on goal difference after defeating third-place Celta Vigo 3-1 on Saturday in Vigo. Celta fell three points behind the leaders.
Barcelona struggled to take control of the match and it was Eibar who created many of the dangerous scoring opportunities.
The Basque club took the lead after a quick counterattack as Baston scored with a shot from outside the area that Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo couldn't keep out.
Suarez equalised with a header from close range after a pass by Sandro, who appeared to be offside when he received a long cross inside the area.
The Uruguay striker added to the lead with a low shot from near the penalty spot after a nice run by Neymar, and closed the scoring with another low strike from inside the area after another set up by Neymar.
Suarez took his tally to 10 goals this season. He has seven in the league, only one less than Neymar.
Barcelona, still without the injured Lionel Messi, had lost two of their last four league games. They also had to rally from a goal down in their previous home match, a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano last week.
Eibar were unbeaten in four matches entering the matchup against the defending champions. They dropped to seventh place in the 20-team standings following the loss.
Earlier Sunday, fourth-place Villarreal missed a chance to stay near the leaders after a 0-0 draw at newcomer Las Palmas, while Real Sociedad defeated host Levante 4-0 with a pair of goals by forward Carlos Vela.
Fifth-place Atletico Madrid host eighth-place Valencia later Sunday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.
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