Robert Lewandowski scored a second-half brace as Barcelona recovered from going behind in the first minute to beat Alaves.
Alaves’ Samu Omorodion scored after 18 seconds, converting Javi Lopez’s cross and then could have scored another three in the first half as he dominated the Barcelona defence, with Jules Kounde particularly struggling to deal with the on-loan Atletico Madrid striker’s threat.
Booed off at half-time, the hosts came back out with more purpose and, moved to right back, Kounde put in a cross which Lewandowski headed home eight minutes after the break.
Still Alaves were not unduly under pressure before a rash attempted clearance from Abdal Abqar brought down substitute Ferran Torres in the penalty area as he was running away from goal.
Lewandowski’s stuttering run-up saw Antonio Sivera commit himself and the Polish striker then struck the ball down the middle of the goal.
The win means Barcelona remain within four points of fellow Catalans Girona at the top of La Liga. Alaves stay in 14th spot.
