Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona: Pedri strike sends Xavi’s side 11 points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga title race

Pedri’s goal took Barcelona 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as they beat Villarreal 1-0 on Sunday night.

Villarreal could have gone into fifth place if they had pulled off a surprise win from their starting spot in eighth place.

However, after an early scare when Robert Lewandowski fired straight at former Barcelona keeper Pepe Reina, they failed to stop the German slipping in Pedri for the opener just after the half-hour mark.

In the second half, both sides continued to press in search of another goal, with Raphinha bringing good saves from Reina twice despite being offside, and both teams also racked up yellow cards.

However neither team found their way through and Barca took the three points.

Xavi Hernandez’s men now prepare to welcome Manchester United on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

Talking point – Is the title race over?

With 21 games played to Real’s 20, Barcelona have an 11-point lead at the top of La Liga. It appears insurmountable.

Barcelona have six straight victories in the league and their European distraction in the Europa League is far less draining than Real’s in the Champions League. Their squad, too, looks solid.

The Catalans are by far the favourites for a triumphant return to winning ways and Xavi could become a hero not just as a player, but a manager too.

Player of the match – Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)

Pedri and Robert Lewandowski were threatening in attack and combined well to keep Villarreal on their toes at every moment they could manage, but Araujo’s relentless covering at the back in the second half meant that Barcelona emerged with three potentially decisive points.

Player ratings

Villarreal: Reina 7, Albiol 6, Pau 6, Capoue 6, Foyth 6, Parejo 6, Alex Baena 6, Alberto Moreno 5, Coquelin 6, AJ Morales 6. Subs: Chukwueze 7, Mojica 6, Trigueros 6, Nino 6.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Kounde 6, Balde 6, Araujo 8, Christensen 6, De Jong 6, Kessie 6, Gavi 6, Pedri 7, Raphinha 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Fati, Ferran Torres 6, Alba 6.

KEY MOMENTS

3’ – REINA SAVE – Lewandowski gets through to chase a ball over the top by Pedri, but Villarreal stands tall to block his effort.

18’ – GOAL! Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona (Pedri): Lewandowski flicks out a toe to push the ball into Pedri’s path in the box, he slips it past Reina, and the away side are ahead.

45+1’ – MORALES MISS – Steaming down the inside left, he beats the defence for pace, but sidefoots his effort into the side netting.

63’ – RAPHINHA CHANCE – Slipped in by Lewandowski with a reverse pass, the Brazilian fires a low shot just wide of the far post.

70’ – BAENA CHANCE – Ter Stegen has to get across quickly to pick out his long range effort.

87′ – NINO SHOT – Leaning back in the box, he arcs a volley wide of the near post.

Key stat