)
Barcelona win and keep a clean sheet again as they go 11 points clear at the top of LaLiga.
Barcelona continued their march towards the title with a slender 1-0 victory in an end-to-end encounter against a Villarreal side that threatened a late comeback.
Xavi Hernandez' men traveled to the Ceramica in an attempt to extend their lead at the top of La Liga. The visitors did not have it all their way, as Villarreal had scoring chances of their own, but it was not to be as Barcelona picked up their 12th straight victory.
Pedri put Barcelona ahead in the 18th minute after combining well with Robert Lewandowski. Chukwueze came on in the 36th minute after Coquelin picked up an injury. The Nigerian winger thought he pulled one back for his team in the 89th minute, but the linesman halted his celebrations.
)
The win extends Barcelona's lead at the top of LaLiga to 11 points before Real Madrid play later in the week against Elche. Villarreal, on the other hand, remain 8th after Athletic Club's win against Valencia sent them there.
How it happened
The Blaugrana started the better team, with Pedri finding Lewandowski early on, but the Polish striker fluffed his lines. The former Bayern Munich striker turned provider as he combined brilliantly with Pedri to give Barcelona the lead in a sweeping team move.
The home team found their footing and started to take the game to their visitors. The Yellow Submarines came close to scoring just before the break when Jose Morales pounced on a loose ball and ran straight towards Ter Stegen's goal before he finished poorly.
Both teams exchanged chances in the second-half, but neither managed to affect the scoreline. Late in the game, Chukwueze ran on to a through ball before burying it in the far post, but the linesman raised his flag for offside.
MVP Araujo
Barcelona kept another clean sheet today, their 16th of the season, and they would have Ronald Araujo to thank, as was evident in how the away crowd chanted his name during the game.
)
The Uruguayan won 100% of his ground duels and 4/5 of his aerial duels. He made three tackles, one of which was a last man tackle, and in progressing the ball, he completed 100% of his long passes.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)