Barcelona thrash Cadiz to regain eight-point LaLiga lead over Real

BARCELONA: Sergio Roberto and Robert Lewandowski scored first-half goals to steer Barcelona to a 2-0 home win over Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday.

Leaders Barcelona regained their eight-point lead over defending champion Real Madrid following the seventh consecutive win in the top Spanish league.

Real narrowed the gap to five points on Saturday when they beat Osasuna in an away game but Barcelona earned three points to strengthen their claim on the 27th La Liga title.

The Catalan giants, who now top the table with 59 points, ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the Europe League earlier this week.

Manager Xavi Hernandez made six changes to the starting lineup that last played at Camp Nou on Friday, but there was no slowing down.

Roberto broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute from a rebound after Lewandowski had a header cleared off the line.

The Polish striker doubled the lead three minutes later by slotting home a low shot from the edge of the box.

Barca had a chance to make it 3-0 in the second half but Lewandowski’s shot hit the crossbar.

Earlier Atletico Madrid edged past Athletic Club 1-0 at Metropolitano Stadium, thanks to a 73rd-minute winner scored by  Antoine Griezmann.

In another Sunday fixture, Rayo Vallecano ended in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla. Meanwhile, Espanyol sealed a thrilling win over Elche with a late decider by Sergi Darder.

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