Julen Lopetegui days as Real Madrid manager looks numbered after Barcelona thrash Real Madrid in El Clasico. A hat-trick from Luis Suarez and goals from Philippe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal ensured Barca scored five against Madrid for the first time in eight years. The hosts showed no signs of missing Lionel Messi and played with the same direct tempo as usual. Real Madrid were poor once again and slip to their a third straight La Liga defeat for the first time since May 2009.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead after eleven minutes, after a fabulous team goal which involved ten Catalan players. They split Madrid’s defence to shreds when Ivan Rakitic's superb ball over the top found Jordi Alba who pulled the ball back for Coutinho to tap the ball into the net.

Madrid were all over the place, especially at the back, as the first half progressed and they soon found themselves two goals behind. Raphael Varane tripped Suarez as the Uruguayan nipped in front of the defender who was taught flat footed. Suarez stepped up himself and found the bottom corner despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Barcelona controlled the rest of the first half as Real were restricted to long range shots. However, Lopetegui made a surprise tactical change at the break and the visitors got themselves back into the game early in the second half. Isco’s cross was stabbed home by Marcelo after Barca failed to clear their lines.

Madrid could of easily been level five minutes later, but Luka Modric's shot smashed off the post and ran across the goal to safety. The game started to live up to its billing with end to end action and Suarez also hit the frame of the goal with an acrobatic volley.

Karim Benzema missed a great chance to equalise for Real and they were made to rue that miss as Suarez extended the hosts lead with an excellent header which looped over Courtois. Only eight minutes later Suarez completed his hat trick after dispossessing Sergio Ramos and clinical clipping the ball over Courtois.

Barcelona added more salt to Lopetegui wounds as Vidal scored a fifth late on. It was too easy for Ousmane Dembele to provide a perfect cross for fellow substitute Vidal to head home.

Barcelona go back to the top of the table with a fantastic display against an struggling Real side. The Catalan side dominated the game and were ruthless in front of goal. Suarez was excellent and fully deserved the match ball. This looks to be the final nail in Lopetegui’s coffin. Another disappointing defensive display as they continue to concede sloppy goals and were awful at times at keeping possession.