Barcelona player ratings v Villarreal: Araujo 9, Pedri 8, Lewandowski 7

Barca open 11-point gap over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win at Estadio de la Ceramica

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  BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7. Positioned himself well when Morales was free with only the German to beat. Fifteen clean sheets now in 21 La Liga games, of which Barcelona have won 18 and lost only one. That’s why they’re clear favourites to win the league. AFP

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  Jules Kounde – 7. Won possession for his team in the build-up to the first goal. Booked. Pushed into the middle and won everything in the air. AFP

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  Ronald Araujo – 9. Looking more settled than his ever-changing hair colour as he was stretched by a competent Villarreal forward line. Strong, fast, and celebrated a clearance from a Pina after 60 minutes which kept his side ahead. Booked. Reuters

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  Andreas Christensen – 8. The established partner to Araujo as Barca moved 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the league, having played a game more. Barca have conceded only seven goals in 21. AP

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  Alejandro Balde – 7. A revelation this season in which Barcelona have won their last five away games by a single goal at Valencia, Osasuna, Atletico, Girona, and Betis. And now at Villarreal. AP

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  Franck Kessie – 7. In for the injured Busquets, he was aggressive against Capoue. Ran over 11 kilometres before he was brought off after 88. Reuters

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  Pedri – 8. Early pass split the defence to set up Lewandowski. Then put his side ahead on 18, his sixth league goal of the season. Only Lewandowski has scored more. He’s been more offensive. Clever player. Man of the match. EPA

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  Frenkie De Jong – 8. Excellent. Pass forward was key to the first goal. Won the ball in the middle, beautiful passing range. Booked. Will play against the team who courted him last year. "We need to be at our best against Manchester United," said his manager Xavi. "We are in the best moment since my arrival right now.” Reuters

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  Gavi – 7. Key, brave, head-first player in the midfield four as Barcelona went 12 undefeated in front of 21,178 at the remodelled La Ceramica stadium. AP

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  Robert Lewandowski – 7. First chance of the night saved by Pepe Reina, then he assisted Pedri to put the Catalans ahead. Another shot at goal after 27. His combination with Pedri is effective. A threat until the end, shooting on target after 93. AFP

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  Raphinha – 7. Involved in the first goal, a fine team move. Went for goal himself with a 24th minute free-kick from distance. Shot wide after 60 after being set up by Lewandowski. Lively and set to keep his place in the side to play Manchester United as Dembele is injured. Booked. AFP

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  SUBS: Ferran Torres (Raphiniha 81’) – N/A; Jordi Alba (Kessie 88’) – N/A. Xavi's side made it 11 wins in a row in all competitions, equalling Pep Guardiola's best winning streak as Barca's manager. EPA

A first-half strike from Pedri gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday to extend their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to 11 points and keep them on course for a first league title since 2019.

Robert Lewandowski fired an early chance straight at goalkeeper Pepe Reina but he had better luck with his passing, teeing up Pedri in a brilliant exchange that set up the 20-year-old midfielder to clip the ball into the net in the 18th minute.

Villarreal lost midfielder Francis Coquelin to what looked to be a nasty knee injury in the 35th minute, and though the home side had more possession it was the visitors who created the better chances, with Lewandowski and Raphinha both coming close to doubling the lead.

The win leaves Barca top of the standings on 56 points after 21 games, while Villarreal are in eighth position on 31 points, seven off La Liga's fourth Champions League place, currently occupied by Atletico Madrid.

Andy Mitten has prvided the player ratings from Estadio de la Ceramica in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on thee arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.