Barcelona player ratings v Atletico Madrid: Araujo and Christensen 8, Fati 5

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 - First save wasn’t until the 45th minute, from a Griezmann shot. Vital block off the line in 95th minute as the home side pushed for an equaliser. Yet another clean sheet. AP Photo

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  Alejandro Balde, 7 - Apart from losing possession a couple of times, another mature performance from the young full-back against a side described by Xavi as ‘chameleons’ – as in they can adapt to any circumstances. They struggled to adapt to Barcelona. AFP

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  Ronald Araujo, 8 - Tucked his arm in before an Atletico shot hit it amid appeals for a penalty on 32 minutes. Booked as his side took advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat at Villarreal to move to the top of the table. Super goal line clearance in injury time. AP Photo

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  Andreas Christensen, 8 - Part of a defence that kept another clean sheet in La Liga. Booked for a late block on Greizmann. Excellent. AFP

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  Jules Kounde , 8 - Got Christensen out of an early problem and linked well with Dembele on the right. Kept Joao Felix quiet, which isn’t easy. AFP

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  Frenkie de Jong , 6 - Helped Barça control the game with 60 per cent possession to get their first win at Atletico in three years. Surprisingly brought off after 67 minutes and he didn’t look delighted with the decision. EPA

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  Sergio Busquets, 7 - Early clash with Savic and a couple of battles with his pink-haired former teammate Griezmann. A few poor passes as Barça sat back and protected their lead without playing well. But what a win. AFP

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  Gavi, 7 - Tenacious as ever as he held his opponent off, spun and set up Dembele for Barca's goal. Helped the Catalans dominate possession. Battled with his Spain teammate Koke. AFP

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  Pedri, 7 - Incredible run before the first goal. Should have made it two a minute later, but his shot was blocked by Molina. AFP

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  Ousmane Dembele, 7 - Side-footed home on 21 minutes to cap a wonderful team goal. Always a danger – and the Catalans only real attacking threat, especially on the counter-attack. Getty Images

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  Ansu Fati, 5 - Started with 23-goal top scorer Lewandowski serving a three-game ban, but he had a quiet game and was the first player to be brought off. Has to do much more to keep his place in the side. EPA

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  SUBS: Franck Kessie, 5 - On for De Jong after 58 minutes and straight into his position. Slack in possession. AP Photo

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  Ferran Torres, 5 - On for Fati after 58 minutes. Put the ball in the net but he was offside. Sent off after 91 minutes after grappling with Savic. Will be suspended AFP

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  Raphinha, 5 - On for Gavi on 73 minutes. Booked for refusing to go off the pitch after a head injury. Getty Images

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  Sergi Roberto, N/A - On for Busquets after 81 minutes and straight into that holding midfield role. EPA

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  Marcos Alonso N/A - On for Balde after 81 minutes as Xavi used all five subs – and recorded a fine result without Lewandowksi. Getty Images

Ousmane Dembele's strike sent Barcelona three points clear at the top of La Liga with a tense 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Capitalising on champions Real Madrid's defeat by Villarreal, Barcelona set out to make a statement victory at the Metropolitano.

Shorn of suspended top scorer Robert Lewandowski, Xavi selected Ansu Fati up front in his place, but it was Dembele who made the difference, finishing a slick move in the 22nd minute.

Atletico ramped up the pressure, with the superb Ronald Araujo clearing off the line from Antoine Griezmann at the death, but Diego Simeone's side could not find an equaliser.

Both teams finished with 10 men after Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic were sent off for brawling with each other on the floor as tempers soured.

Defeat means Atletico languish in fifth, 14 points behind leaders Barcelona.

The victory earns Xavi some breathing room after criticism and fills Barcelona's sails with wind ahead of the imminent Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.