VILLAREAL: Pedri’s first-half strike earned Barcelona three more points and tightened their grip on the La Liga title as they edged past Villareal 1-0 on Sunday. 

With their fifth consecutive win in La Liga, Barcelona went 11 points clear of their arch-rivals and second-placed Real Madrid, who will host rock-bottom Elche on Monday.

The result also marked Barcelona’s 16th clean sheet this season, most by any time in Europe’s top five leagues.

The only goal of the game came in the 18th minute following an excellent build-up involving Raphinha and  Robert Lewandowski before Pedri gave a superb finish past veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The goalless second half also witnessed a number of chances created by both sides. Lewandowski, Raphinha and Pedri missed chances to add a second for Barca.

Villareal came close to an equalizer in the final minutes but Samuel Chukwueze’s goal was disallowed for the offside.

Earlier, Athletic Club defeated Valencia 2-1, thanks to a second-half winner by Nico Williams following a 1-1 tie at the break.

Atletico Madrid, however, earned three points from an away fixture over Celta Vigo after Memphis Depay broke the deadlock a minute before time.

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