Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a 3-1 win over a dogged Leganes side on Sunday, creating one goal and scoring another to keep the Catalans five points clear at the top of La Liga.
Messi, left out of the starting line-up for only the second time this season when fit, was called on in the 64th minute with the game poised at 1-1 after Leganes forward Martin Braithwaite had cancelled out Ousmane Dembele's first-half opener with a 57th-minute strike.
With Messi resting on the bench in the first half, Dembele was the team's focal point in attack, frequently finding holes in the Leganes defence with thrilling bursts of pace and wild dribbles.
He put Barca in front shortly after the half-hour mark with a first-time shot in off the post, receiving a cut-back from Jordi Alba.
Dembele later combined with Philippe Coutinho which should have led to the Brazilian doubling Barca's lead, but the club's record signing fired just wide.
"Dembele has been in fantastic form recently after the controversy, he gives us speed, unpredictability, and goals," added Busquets on the Frenchman's transformation.
"He was unlucky with the injury, we hope it's nothing."
Leganes, who stunned Barca by coming from behind to beat the champions 2-1 at home back in September, also refused to give in after conceding the opener and after limiting Barca's attempts to stretch their lead, they drew level.
Danish forward Braithwaite slid in to meet a perfectly- weighted cross from Youssef En Nesyri and knock the ball into the net from close range for a second goal in four days after scoring against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
Dembele narrowly fired wide, so Barca coach Ernesto Valverde turned to Messi to see Leganes off, and the club's all-time top scorer duly delivered.
