• BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7 - Barca haven’t lost to Elche for 47 years but were a goal behind and maybe he could’ve got closer to Fidel’s 45th minute finish. Busy at the end but held firm. AFP
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7 - Barca haven’t lost to Elche for 47 years but were a goal behind and maybe he could’ve got closer to Fidel’s 45th minute finish. Busy at the end but held firm. AFP
  • Dani Alves 7 - Tried to challenge Fidel before the opening goal but the mistake was Pedri’s and not the Brazilian’s. Well worthy of his place in the team at age 38. Getty Images
    Dani Alves 7 - Tried to challenge Fidel before the opening goal but the mistake was Pedri’s and not the Brazilian’s. Well worthy of his place in the team at age 38. Getty Images
  • Gerard Pique 7 - His 597th Barca game and he hit a beautiful 12th minute pass – he did this three times - to Dembele as Barca attacked down the right early on. Booked on 82 minutes – one of six Barca bookings. Getty Images
    Gerard Pique 7 - His 597th Barca game and he hit a beautiful 12th minute pass – he did this three times - to Dembele as Barca attacked down the right early on. Booked on 82 minutes – one of six Barca bookings. Getty Images
  • Ronald Araujo 6 - Strong tackle on Mojica after 30 minutes. Booked after 48 minutes for a foul. AFP
    Ronald Araujo 6 - Strong tackle on Mojica after 30 minutes. Booked after 48 minutes for a foul. AFP
  • Jordi Alba 8 - Struck a 21st minute shot from outside the area – Barca’s first on target despite all their possession. Assist for the equaliser and more key passes than any player. Ball hit his arm late on in one of four contested penalty decisions. Barca had the luck on them. EPA
    Jordi Alba 8 - Struck a 21st minute shot from outside the area – Barca’s first on target despite all their possession. Assist for the equaliser and more key passes than any player. Ball hit his arm late on in one of four contested penalty decisions. Barca had the luck on them. EPA
  • Frenkie de Jong 6 - Shot cleared off the line in Barca’s best opportunity after 26 minutes. Had another chance on 38 minutes but shot saved. AFP
    Frenkie de Jong 6 - Shot cleared off the line in Barca’s best opportunity after 26 minutes. Had another chance on 38 minutes but shot saved. AFP
  • Sergio Busquets 7 - A steady influence in an entertaining game which his side, with 20 shots to Elche’s 13, deserved to win. Now unbeaten in the league in 11 games and up to third in La Liga. AP Photo
    Sergio Busquets 7 - A steady influence in an entertaining game which his side, with 20 shots to Elche’s 13, deserved to win. Now unbeaten in the league in 11 games and up to third in La Liga. AP Photo
  • Pedri 5 - The most advanced midfielder in a 4-3-3 against Elche’s 4-4-2, but his pass inadvertently set up Fidel’s opener. EPA
    Pedri 5 - The most advanced midfielder in a 4-3-3 against Elche’s 4-4-2, but his pass inadvertently set up Fidel’s opener. EPA
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7 - In form and the central striker. Led the first attack in the first minute, but then his side went behind and had to come from behind. Getty Images
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 7 - In form and the central striker. Led the first attack in the first minute, but then his side went behind and had to come from behind. Getty Images
  • Gavi 5 - The false left-wing role didn’t work for him and he was hardly involved, partly because Barca attacked on the other side. Neat when on the ball but taken off at half time. EPA
    Gavi 5 - The false left-wing role didn’t work for him and he was hardly involved, partly because Barca attacked on the other side. Neat when on the ball but taken off at half time. EPA
  • Ousmane Dembele 8 - Surprise start, but he earned it after a fine second half against Athletic last week. Bright start on the right, beating his man time and again before crossing. Tried to chip goalkeeper after a rare run through the middle after 27 minutes and crossed for the equaliser. Getty Images
    Ousmane Dembele 8 - Surprise start, but he earned it after a fine second half against Athletic last week. Bright start on the right, beating his man time and again before crossing. Tried to chip goalkeeper after a rare run through the middle after 27 minutes and crossed for the equaliser. Getty Images
  • SUB: Ferran Torres 7 (on for Gavi 45’) - Made an immediate impact and scored the equaliser – his first La Liga goal – on 60 minutes. Almost got a second and got in the right positions. AFP
    SUB: Ferran Torres 7 (on for Gavi 45’) - Made an immediate impact and scored the equaliser – his first La Liga goal – on 60 minutes. Almost got a second and got in the right positions. AFP
  • SUB: Nico 6 (n for De Jong 68’) – A more a box-to-box player charged with creating chances. Got the winner in the December fixture at Camp Nou. Booked four minutes after coming on. AP
    SUB: Nico 6 (n for De Jong 68’) – A more a box-to-box player charged with creating chances. Got the winner in the December fixture at Camp Nou. Booked four minutes after coming on. AP
  • SUB: Adama Traore 6 (on for Dembele 75’) - Immediate impact down the left. Getty Images
    SUB: Adama Traore 6 (on for Dembele 75’) - Immediate impact down the left. Getty Images
  • SUB: Memphis Depay 7 (on for Aubameyang 75’). Smashed the winner in nine minutes after coming on – a penalty that came after a VAR review when the ball hit his hand. Booked on 95 minutes. Getty Images
    SUB: Memphis Depay 7 (on for Aubameyang 75’). Smashed the winner in nine minutes after coming on – a penalty that came after a VAR review when the ball hit his hand. Booked on 95 minutes. Getty Images
  • SUB: Sergino Dest NA (on for Alves on 85’). AFP
    SUB: Sergino Dest NA (on for Alves on 85’). AFP

Barcelona player ratings vs Elche: Dembele 8, Memphis 7, Pedri 5


Andy Mitten
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Barcelona moved up to third in La Liga on Sunday after coming from behind to beat Elche 2-1, with Memphis Depay scoring a late penalty to seal a hard-fought victory.

Elche took a surprise lead at the Martinez Valero when Fidel capitalised on a Pedri error on the stroke of half-time but Barca came storming back thanks to two substitutes.

Ferran Torres diverted in from close range on the hour before Depay scored an 84th-minute penalty after the striker had drawn Elche's Antonio Barragan into a handball.

"It seemed we were going to lose a game we did not deserve to lose," said Barca coach Xavi. "We deserved to win by more than one goal."

It continued an impressive run of form for Xavi's side, who have not lost in the league since December and came into this game on the back of scoring four times in three consecutive games for the first time since 2017.

When Xavi was appointed in November, Barcelona sat ninth but they might now justifiably have their sights set on Sevilla, who are only seven points ahead in second.

"We have four wins in a row, this has not happened for a long time, it's a good sign," said Xavi. "The players believe in what we are doing. We are on the right path."

To see Andy Mitten's player ratings from the match, scroll through the picture gallery above.

Updated: March 07, 2022, 4:12 AM