Luis Enrique conceded that Andre Gomes has only played at 30 percent of his capacity this season but singled the Portuguese midfielder out for praise after he scored twice in Barcelona's 7-1 win over Osasuna.

Gomes, a summer signing from Valencia, has been jeered by Barca supporters regularly during his debut season at Camp Nou, but he responded on Wednesday by producing arguably his best performance in a Blaugrana shirt.

"Beyond the two goals -- the first of which is a very difficult finish -- Andre has humongous potential," Luis Enrique, who has defended Gomes several times this year, said in his postgame news conference.

"I can and will say that 1000 times over, even if he is criticised a lot. He can play in different positions ... he's only using 30 percent of his capacity. Imagine him at 100 percent.

"He needs to improve emotionally but he's at the best possible club to do that. He's very demanding, very responsible and he has quality."

There were also braces for Lionel Messi and Paco Alcacer in the win, while Javier Mascherano scored his first goal for the club as Barca kept their noses in front of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

"I think it was a complete performance," Luis Enrique added. "After [Osasuna] got back to 2-1 we were able to put the foot on the accelerator and close the game out.

"That was the worst moment because when they get the goal back they're back in the game and you never know will happen. But, with the way we played, we deserved to win by a wide margin."

The highlight of the night for the supporters was Mascherano's goal, his first since signing for the club in 319 appearances. Urged on by the home crowd to take the penalty after Denis Suarez had been fouled, the Argentina international strode forward to convert from 12 yards.

"It would just have been an anecdote if a player like him hadn't scored in a Barca shirt," Barca boss Luis Enrique said.

"But it was a real positive. I think it was the supporters behind the goal that called for him to take it. But it's not about the goal -- he is a top player, there can be no doubts about his performances. He's a born competitor and he makes his teammates better."

Osasuna manager Petar Vasiljevic, whose side were relegated later on Wednesday when Leganes beat Las Palmas, was asked if Mascherano taking the penalty was a disrespectful move by Barca.

"It wasn't a lack of respect to let him take it, no," he replied. "It's their right to choose who takes the penalty. The penalty is another thing, though: it was stupid [the challenge] and it cost us a goal."