A hard fought win for FC Barcelona away at Pons Lleida, a 4-3 victory that came thank to two goals from Eloi Cervera, one from Marc Grau on his return to action after injury and the winner from Ignacio Alabart. Ricard Ares' team remain in top spot in the table in the league with thought now turning to the home debut this season in European competition. 

Inspired goalkeeping

An all action start in Lleida saw home keeper Xavi Bosch and his Barça counterpart Sergi Fernández pull off several vital saves to keep the game goalless early on. However, on five minutes Barça finally found a way through when Alabart set up Eloi Cervera for the opening strike of the contest. 

More chances followed for both sides before Lleida's Nico Ojeda, on loan from the blaugranes, levelled things up on 19 minutes. Marc Grau, back after a month out with a broken finger, made his presence felt with a powerful shot to restore the visitors' advantage at 2-1 almost immediately. 

Second half goals

Ferran Font had chances to make it 3-1 but once again Pons Lleida keeper Bosch kept his side in the game. A third came when Cervera finally found a way past the keeper to make it 3-1 with his second of the game. However, Lleida mounted a creditable comeback when Moncusí and Migueléz scored twice in two minutes to haul it back to 3-3. 

Igancio Alabart was Barça's saviour as the Galician cracked home a long distance effort to make the final score 4-3 to Barça, a win which allows them to retain a share of the lead in the league with Igualada. 

The next test for Ricard Ares' team is next Thursday in the Champions League when Hockey Trevisso are the first visitors of the season in Europe to the Palau Blaugrana.  

MATCH STATS 

Pons Lleida, 3
Barça, 4

Pons Lleida: Xavi Bosch, Chino Miguélez, Fabrizio Ciocale, Martí Gabarró and Jordi Badia -starting five- Nico Ojeda, Darío Giménez, Sebastià Moncusí
Barça: Sergi Fernández, Ignacio Alabart, Xavi Barroso, Sergi Llorca and Eloi Cervera -starting five- Ferran Font, Pablo Álvarez, Marc Grau

Goals: 0-1, Eloi Cervera (min 5); 1-1, Nico Ojeda (min 19); 1-2, Marc Grau (min 19); 1-3, Eloi Cervera (min 43); 2-3, Sebastià Moncusí (penal) (min 45); 3-3, Chino Miguélez (min 47); 3-4, Ignacio Alabart (min 48)

Àrbitres: David Calonge i Oriol Garriga. Han amonestat amb targeta groga Ferran Font (min 30), Darío Giménez (min 44), Marc Grau (min 44), Xavi Bosch (min 48). Faltes: 6-8

Força Barça