Updated at 22.17

PEDRI GONZALEZ’S goal made the difference for Barcelona in a 1-0 win over Getafe on Sunday, moving them clear at the top of La Liga.

Without suspended striker Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona created few noteworthy chances, but did just enough to emerge with the three points to drive on their bid for a first league title since 2019.

Xavi Hernandez’s side have won six games in a row across all competitions and fans chanted the coach’s name in the final stages despite a sub-par display.

The coach selected Ansu Fati up front in place of Lewandowski but the young Spain international struggled to get into the game.

The whole Barcelona side took a while to get going on a chilly night at Camp Nou, with Borja Mayoral almost drawing first blood for Getafe, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Barca’s first real chance came in the 35th minute and was converted by Pedri from close range, turning home Raphinha’s cross after a great interception by Andreas Christensen set the Brazilian free.

Former Real Madrid striker Mayoral should have equalised for the visitors but was denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen when through on goal, after a poorly judged Pedri back-pass.

Barcelona’s German stopper is back to his best this season after a long dip in form and that is reflected in their sparkling defensive record.

The Catalans have kept 13 clean sheets in 17 La Liga matches, conceding just six goals in the top flight.

Ter Stegen tipped over a Mayoral cross-shot early in the second half but beyond that he was barely tested.

Getafe’s backline proved stubborn and Barcelona created few opportunities to add to their lead.

French winger Ousmane Dembele was a little fortunate to avoid a red card for a studs-up tackle on Omar Alderete as his frustration showed.

Dembele went on to carve out a chance for substitute Franck Kessie but the Ivorian fired straight at Getafe goalkeeper David Soria.

Fati fired over towards the end, his wayward effort summing up a tough evening.

Getafe had a chance to level in stoppage time, when Juanmi Latasa got the jump on Sergio Busquets at a free kick but headed straight at Ter Stegen.

Earlier Villarreal, fifth, needed a penalty after 100 minutes to beat mid-table Girona 1-0. Dani Parejo converted.

Gerard Moreno had missed a penalty in the 93rd minute but the hosts were awarded another in the final seconds.

Bottom of the table Elche earned a 1-1 draw against Osasuna, seventh, but remain without a win this season in the top flight.

And in the late game, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos’s goals kept Real Madrid on Barcelona’s tail in La Liga with a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.

After the Catalans had beaten Getafe 1-0, champions Madrid won a tight clash at the San Mames to remain three points behind their rivals.

Benzema broke the deadlock with a superb volley in the first half while Kroos fizzed home the second late on to kill off Athletic’s hopes.

After losing the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona last weekend, anxiety had increased in the capital, but a stirring Copa del Rey comeback against Villarreal on Thursday settled nerves.

This victory in Bilbao will reassure Los Blancos fans further, ahead of their derby clash in the cup with Atletico Madrid next week.

Anticipating a physical clash with the Basques, Carlo Ancelotti benched midfield stalwarts Luka Modric and Kroos, opting to line up with Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde as part of his central trio.

Dani Ceballos, Nacho Fernandez, and Marco Asensio also started after their fine performances against Villarreal.

Athletic started well and Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tipped away Aitor Paredes’s dangerous header.

The goalkeeper forced Inaki Williams wide of goal in the 23rd minute and the Ghana international fired into the side netting from a tight angle.

A minute later and Madrid punished him for the miss, with Benzema reacting well to volley home from Asensio’s header back in his direction.

In the second half, Unai Simon was called into action to deny Nacho as Madrid sought to double their lead, with Asensio dragging a shot narrowly off-target.

At the other end, Nico Williams followed suit, firing wide when well-placed.

Athletic continued to turn the screw in their search for the equaliser with Ernesto Valverde throwing on more attacking players, including captain Iker Muniain.

Inaki Williams found the net in the 77th minute but the goal was swiftly ruled out for offside against Gorka Guruzeta.

Eventually, the hosts were finished off by Kroos, who steered home from the edge of the box to wrap up Madrid’s victory.

Athletic sit eighth, five points below the Champions League qualification spots.

 – © AFP 2023