Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Sergi Roberto helped Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 and restore their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday.
Elsewhere, a brilliant strike from Antoine Griezmann helped Atlético Madrid secure a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and strengthen their grip on fourth place.
Champions Real Madrid’s win at Osasuna on Saturday drew them closer to Xavi Hernandez’s Barca, who have one eye on Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However an inspired Ferran Torres assisted Sergi Roberto to break the deadlock and Lewandowski added a second to leave Cadiz in 17th, two points above the relegation zone.
The visitors had two Roger Marti goals at Camp Nou and made Barcelona uncomfortable at times, but their victory rarely seemed in doubt.
Xavi started alongside Sergi Roberto in midfield, replacing Pedri, who suffered a thigh injury in last Thursday’s 2-2 first leg draw with Manchester United in the Europa League.
The coach passionately defended the Catalan after the game, saying that he was a player who was often made a scapegoat.
“I have heard the most unjustified criticism (aimed at him) in my life,” Xavi told reporters.
“He’s a great player, with a great attitude, always trying to help the team, he’s unselfish.”
However, it was the arrival of Torres that made the crucial difference for Barcelona in the first half.
The winger has struggled badly at times this season, but with Ousmane Dembele injured and Rafinha rested to face United, he took his chance with both hands.
Torres was hyperactive, dribbling past defenders at pace and tying Cadiz’s defense in knots.
One such run down the right saw him cross for Lewandowski after 43 minutes and although the Polish striker’s effort was saved, Sergi Roberto was on hand to smash the rebound.
Three minutes later, Barcelona doubled their lead when Lewandowski collected the ball on the edge of the Cadiz box and struck low into the bottom corner.
“I work to show my football, it is true that I do not have many minutes and have (not so much) importance in the team,” Torres told Movistar.
“Whenever the coach gives me his confidence, I go out there to show him what I’ve got.”
Some Barcelona fans chanted Torres’ name in response to his electric performance, cheering the forward after a torrid spell.
“I am proud that they chant my name,” he said. “There’s still work to be done, it’s hard to keep up.”
In the second half, Barcelona took their foot off the gas although Lewandowski slotted over the crossbar.
Lewandowski, La Liga’s top scorer with 15 goals World Cup but slowly it seems to be making a comeback.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept yet another clean sheet as Barcelona conceded just seven goals in 22 matches in La Liga.
It has been another story in Europe, with Xavi hoping his team can prove even stronger than the first leg against Man United.
– Classic Shirts –
Atletico’s win over Athletic helped close the gap on third-placed Real Sociedad after the Basque side’s draw on Saturday.
Athletic played in their classic red and white striped kit and in Atlético away shirts, even though Diego Simeone’s side were at home at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The hosts wanted to pay tribute to celebrate Athletic’s 125th anniversary – Atlético was formed in 1903 as an offshoot of Athletic.
Griezmann made the difference after 73 minutes, combining with Depay in a tight fight.
The pair exchanged passes and Griezmann broke into the box to net his seventh league goal of the season.
Rayo Vallecano and visitors Sevilla shared a 1–1 draw, with the hosts, sixth, unable to exert maximum pressure on the sides above them in their quest to secure European football next season.
Sevilla have struggled on the road in recent weeks, while their home form has helped them reach mid-table after a poor start to the season.
Jorge Sampaoli’s side took the lead when Suso’s effort from distance was deflected in by Oscar Valentin, but Florian Lejeune headed home from a corner to level the second.
A late goal from Sergi Dardar gave Espanyol a 1–0 win over bottom-of-the-table Elche.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)