NEW boy Philippe Coutinho watched on as Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi pulled off a stunning Barcelona comeback win.
Mid-table Sociedad led 2-0 before former Spurs midfielder Paulinho, two-goal Suarez and a late special from Messi put Barca nine points clear in La Liga.
Yet Ernesto Valverde’s men needed a superb second-half display as they went nine points clear in La Liga – 19 clear of fourth-placed Real Madrid.
It was Barca’s first triumph at Anoeta since 2007 and they are now unbeaten for 26 league games.
But in just the 11th minute Xabi Prieto’s deft wing-play had teed up home striker Willian Jose for a bouncing, diving header past Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
And the impressive Sergio Canales provided an equally-brilliant assist on 34 minutes, Juanmi’s shot deflecting in off Roberto to double Sociedad’s lead.
Within five minutes, however, Suarez darted into the area to set up Paulinho for a tap-in.
It seemed Barca still had plenty to do, especially as Jose troubled them all first half.
IN NOT OUT Andres Iniesta warns £145m Philippe Coutinho will not ‘kick him out’ of Barcelona
But soon after the break Messi dropped deep to pick the ball up, surging forward to prod in Suarez for a delightful curled equaliser.
Messi caused more problems for Sociedad before keeper Geronimo Rulli’s poor pass was powered forward by the head of Thomas Vermaelen, enabling Suarez to scamper through and angle the ball home.
Argentine legend Messi capped everything, though, with a thumping top-corner finish on 85 minutes to complete the fightback.
That will leave £145million former Liverpool playmaker Coutinho wondering where he will fit in as it was only in defensive areas where Barca sometimes struggled.
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