La Liga: Aubameyang double fires Barcelona past Valencia

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang scored twice as Barcelona ran riot at Mestalla to defeat Valencia 4-1 and move into La Liga’s top four on Sunday. Aubameyang’s double came either side of a Frenkie de Jong tap-in as a free-flowing Barca hit Valencia Valencia with goals in 15 towards the end of the first half. And while Valencia briefly raised hopes of a comeback when Carlos Soler headed in Bryan Gil’s cross after half-time, a dazzling strike from Pedri, which skimmed off Aubameyang’s back, completed Barcelona’s impressive win. Aubameyang had made two substitute appearances in La Liga prior to starting against Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday, however, this was his first league start for Barcelona since having his contract terminated by Arsenal last month.

The 32-year-old was at his pin-point best as he raced clear and fired in to open the scoring prior to bundling home his second and Barcelona’s third at the back post.

A win against Valencia lifts Barca above Atletico Madrid on goal difference, despite Atletico’s victory at Osasuna on Saturday