Barcelona opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Spanish Liga on Sunday with a 2-1 home defeat of lowly Levante.
Barca’s goals were scored by Spain winger Pedro, both of them set up by right-back Dani Alves. Christian Stuani pulled back a late goal for Levante, but Barca had few problems in holding out.
It was Barca’s 11th straight league win and leaves them with 46 points from 17 games. They are now five points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.
Before the match there was an emotive meeting on the Camp Nou field between playmaker Xavi and 1980s defender Migueli, because the little maestro has now equalled Migueli’s record of 549 league matches for Barca.
Xavi then proceeded to direct the one-way traffic, with Levante predictably defending in depth but causing problems on the break.
The visitors managed to hold out until half-time, but Pedro broke the deadlock three minutes into the second-half with a low angled drive, which passed through a forest of Levante legs, after good work down the right by Alves.
Twelve minutes later Alves broke free again down the right and again found Pedro, who made it 2-0 with a ferocious drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Barca should have had more goals, but Alves and David Villa were wasteful with their chances. Young sub Thiago hit the Levante crossbar with a clever lob.
Ten minutes from time Uruguayan striker Stuani pulled a goal back for Levante against the run of play with a spectacular left-foot volley, on a pass from fellow sub Valdo. The visitors failed to create more danger, and were fortunate to only concede two goals.
