Bueno steals some of Suarez's thunder

Barcelona's 3-1 win at Granada on goals by Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi was overshadowed by little-known Alberto Bueno, who netted four goals in 16 minutes in Rayo Vallecano's victory on Saturday.

Bueno struck four times from the 23rd to the 38th minutes to lead Rayo's stunning 4-2 comeback win over Levante and send its fans at Vallecas Stadium into raptures in a remarkable first half.

Suarez scored his third goal of the week before setting up Messi as Barcelona kept the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish league standings.

Suarez, who scored twice in a 2-1 victory at Manchester City on Tuesday, arguably had his best game since joining Barcelona.

He played a part in Barcelona's first goal when Ivan Rakitic finished off his rebound in the 25th.

He then worked a one-two combination with Rakitic to double the lead in the 48th. Five minutes later, Granada's Fran Rico converted a penalty, but Rakitic played Suarez through for him to generously pass to Messi in the 70th.

Suarez's goal was his 10th in 24 appearances, after he started the season late while completing a four-month ban for biting an Italy defender at the World Cup.

"He has been playing at a very high level," Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said of Suarez. "Now, with the goals he is scoring, his hard work is being more widely recognized, but for us he has been doing a very special and interesting job."

Messi, who could have had another couple of goals if not for Oier Olazabal's goalkeeping, took his league tally to 27 on the season. Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo leads the competition with 29.

Barcelona pulled to within one point of Madrid before the pacesetter hosts Villarreal on Sunday.

Bueno, a Madrid youth product who played for Derby County in England's second tier in 2010, started his record-setting performance by canceling out Victor Casadesus' opener with a header.

The attacking midfielder then put in a poor clearance by goalkeeper Diego Marino with his right foot, before slotting in a third goal with his left, and polishing off his own initial shot again with his right boot.

No Rayo player had ever scored four goals in one game.

(China Daily 03/02/2015 page20)