Barcelona cruise past Las Palmas in front of empty Camp Nou

The game was shrouded in controversy and uncertainty before kick-off amidst tension in Catalonia because of the independence referendum, but Barcelona secured a 3-0 win over Las Palmas thanks to an impressive second half performance with a goal from Sergio Busquets and a brace from Lionel Messi.

It was eventually decided, after much uncertainty and against the wishes of the Catalan club, that the match would go ahead behind closed doors and the sides played in front of an eerily quiet, empty Camp Nou.

Despite all the pre-match issues, it was Barcelona who started the brighter, dominating possession in their usual fashion as Las Palmas, lead by Pako Ayestaran for the first time, were set up to frustrate the hosts.

In the early stages Chichizola was tested in the Las Palmas goal by a shot from the outside the area by Sergi Roberto, and he expertly kept out a Lionel Messi free-kick which was headed into the top corner.

Las Palmas slowly grew into the game and after a sustained period of possession they got in behind the Barca defence and Oussama Tannane forced Ter Stegen into his first save of the game after pulling inside from the right flank.

The home side were presented with a great chance to take the lead after 32 minutes. Sergi Roberto swung a cross into the box from the touchline on the right flank and Paulinho met the ball on the edge of the six-yard box but his header went just wide.

However, It was the visitors who went closest to taking the lead i the first period, as Tana played Tannane down the left, who cut back for Jonathan Calleri, and the Argentinian striker struck the post with his first-time effort at the near post.

The sides went in level at half time with the hosts struggling to make their mark on the game, and Pako Ayestaran’s side demonstrating some impressive defending.

However, as soon as the second half kicked off, the difference between the two sides was apparent.

Chichizola was called into action twice in the opening minutes of the second half, first he kept out another Messi free-kick from around 30 yards out, then the keeper did very well to tip a dipping effort from Ivan Rakitic over the bar.

The step-up from Valverde’s side since the break soon paid dividends as they took a deserved lead after 49 minutes. The resultant corner from Rakitic’s effort was swung in by Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets nodded home from close range, as Chichizola failed claim the ball.

Moments later Luis Suarez had a chance to get his side's second goal. The Uruguayan was released behind the defence by Sergi Roberto and he raced clear of the defence but ended up picking up a yellow card after trying to win a penalty by jumping over the legs of the Las Palmas stopper.

It was one-way traffic from this point onwards and Messi almost got on the scoresheet but headed just wide from 12 yards out after a neat cut back from Luis Suarez.

Barcelona predictably doubled their lead after 70 minutes thanks to Lionel Messi. Denis Suarez expertly thread the ball through to Messi, who calmly rounded Chichizola with the help of a dummy and stroked the ball into the empty net to double Barca's lead.

Messi then had his second and Barca's third just six minutes later. Rakitic and Suarez linked up well on the of the box, before curling the ball through for Messi, who made no mistake and slotted past Chichizola to end the game as a contest.

Suarez was desperate to get in on the act but he lashed a free-kick just wide after 80 minutes and his superb acrobatic effort after a chipped ball from Rakitic was ruled out for offside.

The Uruguayan once again went close in stoppage time but he put the ball wide as he went clean through on goal, and his frustration was clear as he ripped his shirt open moments before the final whistle.

In a day where much of the city was focusing on events which occurred away from the Camp Nou, Ernesto Valverde's side put in a fine performance to overcome a stubborn Las Palmas side in unexpected conditions, to extend their lead at the top of La Liga.