Barcelona 2-0 Cadiz: Sergi Roberto & Robert Lewandowski score as Barca go eight points clear of Real Madrid

Two goals in as many minutes before half time secured Barcelona victory over Cadiz restoring their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga.

The home side at the Nou Camp dominated possession but Cadiz looked relatively comfortable before Ferran Torres weaved his way around three defenders in the box before pulling back to Robert Lewandowski and, after his shot was cleared by Iza Carcelin, Sergi Roberto slammed home the rebound.

Moments after the restart the first goalscorer squared to Lewandowski on the edge of the box and he drilled home his trademark finish leaving Jeremias Ledesma with no chance.

The result never looked in doubt but Cadiz substitute Chris Ramos twice came close to scoring late in proceedings. First he toe-poked an effort which Marc-Andre ter Stegen pushed onto the post and then he met Alex’s cross in front of the Barcelona goalkeeper but it cleared the crossbar.

Three minutes from time another Cadiz substitute Choco Lozano also saw an effort hit the woodwork, but despite this late pressure there remained the impression that Barcelona could step up their game if the contest became close.

The win leaves Barcelona with an eight-point lead over Real Madrid, while Cadiz remain in 17th spot, two points in front of third-bottom Valencia.

TALKING POINT

Fati needs to look at opposite number on Thursday – The one-time Barcelona wonder-kid could do with watching closely the play of Marcus Rashford in the second leg of the Europa Cup knockout clash and maybe having a chat afterwards with the Manchester United superstar. The frustrations of Fati with each wrong decision or skewed finish were reminiscent of Rashford last year when he had the world on his shoulders and was not living up to the expectations he put on himself, let alone those from outside the club. Fati does not have the consistent performances to look back on Rashford had, but his ceiling was seen as even higher than the United striker. The Spain international will likely not play a great deal in big games over the rest of the season and at 20-years-old he still has so much time on his side, though he would only be human to feel frustrated at the way fellow youngsters Pedri and Gavi have gone way past him. Rashford has inspired so many youngsters in Britain on and off the pitch in the last few years and it would be nice to think he could have impact on one more.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Ferran Torres (Barcelona) – He still has a way to win the Barcelona fans over but more performances like this will surely do this. Pep Guardiola’s rigid expectations can take the flair out of his forwards and while he did have impressive performances for City, especially in Europe, and has for Spain, but there was tonight the glimpse of the dribbling sensation when he made his name at Valencia. He still could sharpen his finishing, but if he is creating the kind of chance he did for the first goal on a regular basis, he will retain a place in this Barcelona side.

PLAYER RATINGS

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Kounde 6, Christensen 6, Eric Garcia 6, Balde 7, Sergi Roberto 7, Gavi 7, De Jong 7, Ansu Fati 5, Ferran Torres 8*; Lewandowski 7.

Subs: Kessie 6, Raphinia 6, Alarcon 6.

Cadiz: Ledesma 6, Iza Carcelen 7, Luis Hernandez 7, Fali 6, Arzamendia 6, Alcaraz 6, Escalante 6, Alex 6, Bongonda 6, Ocampo 6, Roger Marti 5.

Subs: Lozano 6, Alejo 6, Sobrino 6, San Emeterio 6, Ramos 7.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

43′ GOAL FOR BARCELONA! Wonderful run from Ferran Torres who weaves his way past three defenders to the by-line before pulling back for Lewandowski whose effort is cleared off the line by Iza and Sergi Roberto following up slams the ball home.

45′ GOAL FOR BARCELONA! The three-game drought is over as Lewandowski receives the ball on the edge of the area from Sergi Roberto and slams the ball home.

78′ ARZAMENDIA MEETS ALEX’S CORNER WITH STOOPING HEADER! And ter Stegen is forced to make a good save parrying the ball away diving to his left.

80′ RAMOS BUNDLES HIS WAY INTO BOX! And his toe-poked effort is tipped onto the post by ter Stegen.

87′ OFF THE POST! It’s not going to happen for Cadiz if they play all night, here Lozano meets Luis Hernandez’s cross with a header which hits the post.

KEY STATS

• Barcelona have kept 17 clean sheets in La Liga this season, the most by a team after their first 22 games of the season.
• Lewandowski has scored 15 goals in his first 19 La Liga appearances, the second-fastest player to reach that number in the competition in the 21st century.