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Leaders Barca open three-point lead with Atleti scalp

FC Barcelona extended their lead at the summit of LaLiga to three points with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.

Barca had Jordi Alba and Robert Lewandowski suspended for this clash, as Ansu Fati joined Pedri and Ousmane Dembele in the attack.

After a cagey opening, Pedri surged forward on 21 minutes before passing to Gavi who then shielded one challenge to lay the ball off for Dembele to open the scoring with a first-time finish.

Pedri should've added a second goal a minute later after he found space in behind from a through pass, but hesitated to get a shot away and allowed Atleti to block the danger.

The host looked to go level once more on the half-hour mark and a probing shot from a tight angle by Yannick Carrasco bounced off Ronald Araujo and into the side-netting.

Atletico were close again four minutes before the break when Antoine Griezmann's lofted shot on the edge of the area forced a tremendous save out of goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The Blaugrana were under intense pressure a little in the second half and saw a flying attempt in the area by Griezmann flew over target following a ball in space.

Barca manager Xavi Hernandez unleashed fresh faces minutes after the resumption of play, with Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie and Ferran Torres introduced.

However, the Catalans did have the ball in the net in the final 20 minutes with a snap finish in the area by Torres from a square pass but it was chalked off for offside

Both sides were reduced to ten players in added time as Torres and Atletico's Stefan Savic were sent off for an off-the-ball incident.

The Blaugrana nearly let the lead slip late on from a side-footed attempt by Griezmann, but Ter Stegen made a telling stop before Araujo cleared off the line as Xavi's charges held on for maximum points.

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