Staff Reporter.
Late goals from Memphis Depay and Phillippe Coutinho secured a first away victory of the season in LaLiga for Barcelona as they made it two wins from two under Xavi Hernandez in the league by beating Villarreal 3-1 on Saturday.
But Memphis Depay pounced after the Villarreal defence failed to clear a long clearance in the 88th minute.
Substitute Philippe Coutinho slotted an injury-time penalty to make sure of the result and rub salt in the wound.
Barcelona remain seventh in the Spanish top flight despite their first away league win of the season, but are now only three points from the Champions League places and seven off leaders Real Madrid.
The win also continues new manager Xavi’s unbeaten start to his term at the Nou Camp, but there was plenty in the performance to give the former Spain midfielder pause for thought.
“They’re three huge points but it was a really difficult game,” Xavi said after the match. “We didn’t dominate as we expected. We have to control the ball better. We have to improve. We were lucky. Villarreal didn’t deserve to lose.
“Of my three games in charge, this was the one we dominated the least and we least deserved to win. We suffered a lot in the second half and at the end of the first half. We couldn’t play through their pressure. It was really tough. It was a good day to play direct.”
Villarreal frequently looked like overrunning his side in the second half with the Arnaut Danjuma and Manu Trigueros speed and movement creating a clutch of chances.
The hosts, who also saw a strong first-half claim for a penalty turned away, were left ruing their own defensive shortcoming through as Colombian Pervis Estupinan allowed Depay in to round the keeper and put his side back in front against the run of play.
Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth was at fault for the final goal, tripping Coutinho in the box to give away a clear penalty.
“The officials have influenced the result,” Villarreal coach Emery complained after the game. “Someone will have to give us an explanation because the sensation is that Villarreal are not being shown any respect.
“Pique’s handball is crystal clear. VAR is run by people and someone must take responsibility [for not giving the penalty]. The ball is going in and Pique raises his hand and stops it.”