FC Barcelona bounced back from last week's shock loss by defeating Valencia 1-0 at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening.
Barca were without the suspended Gavi as Sergi Roberto was recalled alongside Ansu Fati following the midweek Copa del Rey action Real Madrid.
The Blaugrana hit the front in the 15th minute as Raphinha made a penetrative run to the middle of the area and headed in a well-weighted angled ball by Sergio Busquets.
Los Che were on the ropes again following a ten-minute spell and should've been two goals down from a rasping shot outside the area by Ferran Torres, but Giorgi Mamardashvili produced a save.
Chances kept coming for the host closer to the break and saw Ansu Fati steer a cross from Raphinha well wide - having made a good decoy run to the danger area.
The dominance from Xavi Hernandez's men continued before the end of the first half and ultimately left Los Che chasing shadows on virtually all fronts.
Barcelona still decided to make a substitution ahead of the second period and introduced Franck Kessie in the place of Frenkie de Jong.
Xavi's side could've grabbed a second ten minutes from the break with a penalty following a hand-ball in the area, but Torres dragged the resultant spot-kick wide.
However, the host looked to make amends from the missed penalty a few seconds later as Fati ran on the shoulder of the area and riffled off the post following a pass in space.
Barcelona were reduced to ten players 60 minutes in as Ronald Araujo pulled down Hugo Duro and were handed a straight red card.
Los Che managed to come alive after a subdued spell and runs from deep into offensive areas by substitute Fran Perez forced the Catalans back.
The table-toppers, though, survived the pressure from the visiting team as fulltime loomed and secured the win in their title pursuit.
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