Football: Luis Suarez marks 100th Barcelona appearance against Girona, Real Madrid edge past Alaves

FC Barcelona's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez jubilates the third goal of the team during the Spanish First Division League 6th round match between Girona and FC Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, on Sept 23, 2017. PHOTO: EPA

MADRID (REUTERS) - Lionel Messi has been the star of Barcelona's blistering start to the season yet with the Argentinian suffering a rare off night and big-money signing Ousmane Dembele missing through injury, it was Luis Suarez who claimed the headlines in his 100th LaLiga appearance for the club on Saturday.

The Uruguayan sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Catalan rivals Girona with a clinical finish late on to reach a remarkable tally of 87 goals in his century of league games.

The figures are all the more impressive given that it took Suarez almost two months to break his duck in Catalonia and that his form has been erratic this season.

Before Saturday, he had just one league goal to his name and he sat out Tuesday's 6-1 thrashing of Eibar.

"It's important for a forward who lives for goals to score. We're delighted for him but it's also important to point out that when he hasn't been scoring, he has been giving us other, important things: hard work, a team player, linking play," said technical secretary Robert Fernandez after the game.

A controversial figure, having twice been banned for biting opponents, Suarez has been a mainstay in the Barca front line since joining from Liverpool in 2014.

Known for his tireless work ethic, he has also laid on 51 goals in the league for team-mates with his 100 games comprising 77 wins, 11 draws and 12 losses.

"Forwards live for goals. They can be low on confidence at times, but they score and everything changes," coach Ernesto Valverde said.

"His relationship with scoring goals is good for us. We're delighted with how many chances he's able to create."

Real Madrid returned to winning ways following their shock 1-0 defeat to Betis in midweek as two first-half goals from Dani Ceballos in his maiden league start for the club sandwiched a Manu Garcia header for hosts Alaves.

There were missed chances at both ends in the second half.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has yet to score in LaLiga this season, and Alaves substitute Alfonso Pedraza both struck the woodwork twice, while Sergio Ramos fired over despite an open goal late on.

However, Zinedine Zidane's side hung on to claim their third league win of the season and move on to 11 points.

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