Player ratings as Pedri goal earns win

Barcelona prolonged their lead on the high of the league desk to 11 factors due to onerous fought win over Villarreal.

Pedri’s goal was sufficient for Barca, who’ve now received their final 11 video games in all competitions.

Inside three minutes, Robert Lewandowski spurned a wonderful likelihood to open the scoring for the league leaders. The legendary Polish striker was performed clear via on goal by Pedri, however might solely discover Pepe Reina’s mid-riff together with his subsequent effort on goal.

Lewa would then flip supplier for Pedri within the 18th minute to interrupt the impasse. A chic one-two between Lewandowski and Pedri led to the latter discovering himself via on goal, and the teenager made no mistake together with his end, side-footing previous Reina within the Villarreal goal.

Lewandowski would as soon as once more be on the coronary heart of one other fluid transfer from Barca a couple of minutes later, linking up with a number of of his teammates on the fitting of the penalty field earlier than forcing Reina into one other sensible save.

Villarreal nearly discovered a method again into the sport in added time on the finish of the primary half when Jose Luis Morales burst via on goal. The Spanish striker, after storming into the penalty space, might solely hearth into the side-netting together with his ensuing shot on goal.

That likelihood appeared to present the house aspect some renewed confidence heading into the second half, as they push ahead with actual intent after the interval. Despite their finest efforts nevertheless, it was Barca who’d create the primary nice likelihood of the half.

Again Lewa was key within the construct up as his beautiful cross performed Raphinha via on the fitting of the penalty earlier than the Brazilian fired simply vast of the publish.

Villarreal thought they lastly discovered a breakthrough within the 89th minute when Yeremy Pino backheeled the ball brilliantly via to Samuel Chukwueze, who would then side-foot previous Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Yeremy, nevertheless, was adjudged to have been offside within the build-up.

GK – Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 5/10 – Did he make a save? We do not assume he did.

RB – Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Villarreal tried to play via the left-hand aspect of their assault and Kounde hardly ever let these makes an attempt come of something.

CB – Ronald Araujo – 9/10 – As good as ever. Barcelona can be half the crew with out him.

CB – Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Held agency alongside his centre-back accomplice.

LB – Alejandro Balde – 5/10 – Expected a bit extra going ahead from the thrilling younger full-back.

CM – Pedri – 8/10 – Scored the opener after some great interaction with Lewandowski. Barca’s finest participant within the last third.

CM – Frenkie de Jong – 6/10 – Tidy in possession all through.

CM – Franck Kessie – 5/10 – Active deeper in midfield than one would maybe need him to be. Much simpler additional up the park.

RW – Raphinha – 4/10 – Has been in nice kind lately, however not at his finest on Sunday night. Missed an ideal likelihood to double Barca’ lead within the second half.

ST – Robert Lewandowski – 7/10 – Bagged an help for the opener. Links up so effectively with Pedri and Gavi.

LW – Gavi – 4/10 – Not at his good finest.

SUB – Ferran Torres – N.A.

SUB – Jordi Alba – N/A.