Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Riazor as Deportivo La Coruna welcome Barcelona. As it stands, the home side sit 15th in the table on 17 points and should they avoid defeat here, the newly-promoted side will have gone three games unbeaten for the first time since they returned to Spain's top division this season. Some incentive for Depor!

Barcelona, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 4-0 win over Elche in the Copa del Rey. Last time out in the league, they beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 to take charge of second position. However, Real Madrid's win at Getafe earlier this afternoon means that Barca currently sit four points behind the league leaders. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...

TEAMS

DEPOR: Fabricio; Juanfran, Sidnei, Lopo, Luisinho; Bergantinos, Dominguez; Medunjanin, Cuenca, Cavaleiro; Riera

BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Neymar, Messi, Suarez

In terms of the recent league meetings between the two sides, Barca have won four of the last five matches. The pair have not met at this stadium since October 2012, but it was a match to remember, with Barca emerging 5-4 winners. Barca also won 4-0 at this stadium in January 2011.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the field for the first period. Can Depor shock their old enemy here? Not for me! It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.

It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, which is not much of a surprise. Depor are in decent form, but Barca were excellent against Atletico last time out.

As expected, the away side have taken control of the possession in the opening four minutes, with Messi and Suarez both involved. You just get the feeling that Depor need to ride out the opening 15 or 20 minutes and the home side have set up in a defensive shape in the early moments.

Half-chance for the away side as Neymar drives down the left before delivering a cross into Suarez, but the striker cannot flick a pass into the feet of Messi. Suarez already looks bright in the early minutes, while Depor's two centre-backs have been keen to thump clear in the early exchanges here.

Better from the home side in the last minute or two as Juanfran delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Pique is on hand to make the clearance. Barcelona are down the other end with Messi moments later, but the Argentine's touch is just too strong and Fabricio is out to collect.

SAVE! Oh my good grief what a save! Messi comes close to opening the scoring after meeting a short corner from Rakitic, but Fabricio is down to make a quite stunning save. Wow!

Messi makes no mistake this time as the Argentine flicks a Rakitic cross into the top corner. Wonderful header from the attacker, who looped his effort over the goalkeeper. Excellent from Messi there.

Deportivo attempt to respond down the other end with Cuenca, but his effort is straight at Bravo from close range. The home side need to be really careful that they do not concede a quick second here.

Depor just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the away side continue to pass and probe in the final third. This could be a long, long evening for Depor, whose supporters are still in good voice.

Not too much in the way of chances since Barcelona opened the scoring, but the away side remain in control of the possession. Depor need to find a way of making an impact in the final third here.

Another half-chance for Barca as Iniesta dances into the box before attempting to find Messi, but the Spaniard's cross just evades the Argentine. Neymar has Juanfran on toast moments later, but eventually the danger is cleared. Barca are looking good for a second goal at the moment it must be said.

Messi is again involved for the away side as he moves past two defenders before attempting to slide a pass towards Neymar, but Sidnei is across to clear at the vital moment. Still 1-0 Barca here.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barca as Suarez collects a deep pass from Iniesta, but the striker cannot convert not he half-turn. Barca are threatening to take this game away from Depor.

Pass, pass, pass as Barca continue to dominate this football match.

Half-chance for the home side as Cavaleiro breaks into the final third following a good header from Riera, but the midfielder fires his effort wide of the post. A little better from the hosts there.

The home side have the chance to threaten from a free kick outside the Barca box, but the resulting set piece, which is met by Sidnei, is blocked by Busquets at the far post. Still 1-0 to the visitors.

A mistake from Busquets presents the home side with the chance to break into the final third, but the danger is forced wide and eventually Barca have numbers behind the ball. The visitors break moments later with Messi, but the Argentine just runs into traffic following a tricky piece of play.

Barcelona have their second of the match as Messi collects a loose ball inside the box before lifting his effort over the goalkeeper. Wonderful feet in a tight area from the Argentine.

CHANCE! Cuenca has the chance to score against his former club following good work from Dominguez, but the Spaniard fires high of Bravo's crossbar. What an opportunity there.

Messi comes close to scoring his third after collecting a smart pass from Busquets, but the Argentine fires high of the crossbar from inside the box. Depor cannot contain him at the moment.

Barcelona are in complete control of proceedings as we enter the final five minutes of the half. Better teams than Depor would have struggled to contain the Catalan outfit in this form.

Cavaleiro remains the main threat for the home side in wide areas, but the winger has lacked support in the final third of the field. Juanfran is down the right moments later, but the ball is worked inside and Barca clear the danger. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining here.

Depor really need their supporters to stay with them in this match, especially in the latter stages of the first period. A third Barca goal at this stage would surely end Depor's slim hopes of a comeback.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barca leading 2-0 courtesy of a double from Messi. In truth, it has been a real trouble for the home side, with the visitors a class above. As it stands, the Catalan outfit will move just one point behind league leaders Real Madrid.

STATS! Barca have dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had five attempts - three of which have been on target. Depor, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their three attempts. Surprisingly, there has not been a single booking in the first 45 minutes here.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Lucas, Toche and Cezary Wilk all in reserve. Barca, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Pedro and Rafinha. Will either manager look to their bench at the interval?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Depor turn this one around? It would be some effort. It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway.

SUB! One change for Depor at the break, with Jose Rodriguez replacing Cavaleiro.

PENALTY SHOUT! The home side want a penalty as Medunjanin turns inside the Barca box following excellent work from Cuenca, before going down under the challenge of Mascherano, but the referee is not interested. Why on earth has he passed up that shooting chance!

Barca are back down the other end moments later, but Iniesta's strike is blocked en route to goal. End-to-end football in the early minutes of the second period. It has been a cracking match thus far.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a third as Neymar drives down the left before setting up Suarez, but the striker balloons his effort high and wide. What a miss.

In truth, it is really difficult to imagine Depor turning this match around as Barca continue to force the issue. Neymar again finds Suarez, but this time the striker had moved into an offside position.

Depor have the opportunity to threaten from a set piece, but there are no takers on Medunjanin's deep cross into the box. Barca are away down the other end moments later...

Cuenca wants a free kick after going down under a challenge from Alves, but the referee is not interested. Cuenca has looked the most likely for the home side against his former employers.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Juan Dominguez meets a high ball inside the Barca box, but Bravo makes a really smart save. That has raised the noise here.

BOOKING! Riera (Depor) is booked for a late challenge on Busquets.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with Depor managing to quell the pressure with a period of possession. Barca again force the issue as Neymar drives into the Depor box before finding Messi, but the Argentine is forced into a wide area.

Game, set and match. Barca have their third as Messi completes his hat-trick with a stunning finish from a wide area. That is the Argentine's 22nd La Liga hat-trick. Wonderful work once again.

SUB! Depor make their second change as Riera is replaced by Toche.

BOOKING! Toche (Depor) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.

Messi takes the resulting free kick, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.

SUBS! Barcelona make two changes as Rafinha and Bartra replace Busquets and Iniesta.

BOOKING! Bartra is booked for a late challenge on Dominguez.

Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona are so comfortable it is untrue. It is almost like a training match as they continue to retain the ball in forward positions.

SUB! Barca make their third change as Pedro replaces Neymar.

Couple of half-chances for Barca, but Suarez is just beaten to the ball by the Depor goalkeeper, before Rakitic fires high and wide of the crossbar. Barca are certainly in the mood for more goals here.

Barcelona are caught offside for the fifth time this evening as Pedro moves just beyond the Depor defence before collecting a pass from Neymar. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.

Half-chance for the home side as Medunjanin finds some space outside the Barca box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. It remains 3-0 with 76 minutes on the clock.

CHANCE! Messi comes close to scoring his fourth following another excellent cross from Suarez, but Sidnei is on hand to make a fine block. Barca are pressing for a fourth goal here.

BOOKING! Alves (Barca) is booked for handball.

SUB! Depor make their third change as Lucas replaces Medunjanin.

Cuenca wants a penalty as the Depor attacker falls to the ground inside the Barca box, but the referee is not interested and Barca break down the other end. Are there more goals in this one?

Barcelona have their fourth of the match as Lopo attempts to clear a low cross from Alves, but instead strikes the ball straight against Sidnei, who can do nothing but watch it dribble into his own net.

Depor are really struggling at the moment as Juanfran brings Messi to the ground, who had just nipped in ahead of the defender. Little under five minutes of football remaining at the Riazor.

Sidnei attempts to make amends in the final third as the centre-back drives past two Barca defenders, but Bartra is across to make an excellent challenge. The crowd love that from the Brazilian.

Alves appears to have a problem for Barca after clashing with that man Sidnei - he's everywhere!

CHANCE! Suarez comes close to scoring a fifth for Barca after dancing into the Depor box and turning Juanfran from side to side, but his final effort is straight at Fabricio.

CHANCE! Another chance for Suarez as Alves delivers a wicked cross towards the far post, but Suarez just cannot make contact. It will not happen for the Uruguay international tonight.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barca running out 4-0 winners over Deportivo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!