Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba

Suarez's Barca debut was delayed until the end of October by his ban

Luis Suarez scored his first La Liga goal as Barcelona closed the gap on leaders Real Madrid to one point going into Spain's winter break.

With Real not playing because of their involvement in the Club World Cup, Barca stylishly seized the chance to keep the pressure on their arch-rivals.

Spain forward Pedro blasted in after 72 seconds, before Suarez poked in shortly after half-time.

Gerard Pique's header and a brace from Lionel Messi clinched an easy win.

It was a return to form for Luis Enrique's men after they slipped four points adrift of Madrid with a frustrating 0-0 draw at Getafe last weekend.

Newly-promoted Cordoba had not visited the Nou Camp for 42 years and the signs were ominous when Pedro - fresh from scoring a midweek Copa Del Rey hat-trick - netted the opener.

Barca could not add to their tally until Uruguay striker Suarez, who was banned until October for biting, finally scored his first league goal for the Catalans at the eighth attempt.

The visitors, who are second bottom, wilted in the second half as Barcelona ruthlessly tore them apart.

Substitute Xavi, who in his 741st appearance equalled the record of Madrid legend Raul for the number of games for a single club in Spanish football, teed up Pique before Ballon d'Or nominee Messi pounced on a loose ball for the fourth.

And the Argentine superbly controlled Jordi Alba's left-wing cross before spinning to fire in a volley for his 23rd goal of the season.

Madrid, who face Argentine side San Lorenzo in the Club World Cup final later on Saturday, meet Sevilla on 4 February in their rearranged fixture.