Barcelona player ratings v Valencia: Raphinha 9, Busquets 8, Ferran Torres 6

Raphinha's early header seals 1-0 win despite a missed penalty and Araujo's red card

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 6 - Yet another clean sheet at home in the league. Slid to keep a ball in play after a poor second minute pass back. Gave the ball away to Lino after Torres sent him a wild back pass in the air. EPA

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  Jules Kounde 7 - Poor ball forward set up the first Valencia attack. Clattered into Ter Stegen as Valencia pushed for a late equaliser. Getty Images

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  Ronald Araujo 5 - First league start in a month came after Thursday’s 1-0 cup win at Real Madrid. Won his 50/50 balls, but was sent off after 59 minutes for dragging Hugo Duro as he ran towards goal. Thankfully for Barcelona, he’ll back for el clasico. AFP

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  Andreas Christensen 7 - Saw a lot of the ball as Valencia’s midfield pushed onto him. Defended a 43rd minute cross but held his hands up to apologise after playing the ball into the path of former Barça player Ilaix just before the break. AP Photo

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  Alex Balde 8 - Took his man on and crossed after nine minutes – but with no Lewandowski there was no one to apply the finish. Ran sixty yards, beat three players and set up Raphinha on 23. Lost his man in a Valencia attack which allowed Thierry a free header. Reuters

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  Sergio Busquets 8 - Dominated the much changed midfield against Valencia’s five man midfield. Beautiful ball through the defence to set up the opening goal. It was a tough game. EPA

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  Frenkie de Jong 6 - Tame shot on goal after six minutes after he slipped while shooting. Off at half time. AFP

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  Sergi Roberto 6 - Extended his contract this week and the versatile stalwart is getting games in the absence of Pedri and Gavi. Played Raphinha in for an early attack, gave a few fouls away to let Valencia breathe under constant pressure. AP Photo

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  Ansu Fati 5 - Left side of the front three, but his first shot on target came from the right. Headed a wonderful Raphinha cross towards the ground rather than the goal on 37. Argued with Torres about who should take a penalty. Couple of poor back passes too. AP Photo

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  Raphinha 9 - Fantastic instinct to drift in and meet a 16th minute Busquets ball, which he headed into the Valencia goal to put his side ahead. Consistently troubled Valencia. Man of the match. AP Photo

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  Ferran Torres 6 - Grew into the game and put a ball across goal on 26 minutes and had a shot on target after 31. Dreadful ball back to Ter Stegen after 39 to put his goalkeeper under pressure. Took a penalty. Missed. Hapless. Getty Images

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  SUBS: Franck Kessie 6 - On for De Jong at half time. Ran hard. Needed to. Reuters

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  Marcos Alonso 6 - On for Fati after 61 minutes. AP Photo

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  Eric Garcia N/A - On for Sergi Roberto after 81 minutes. Getty Images

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  Angel Alarcon N/A - On for Raphinha on 87 mins. Getty Images

Barcelona clung on with 10 men to beat Valencia 1-0 and move 10 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on Sunday, thanks to Raphinha's early header.

The Brazilian winger nodded the Catalans in front in the 16th minute. But after Ferran Torres missed a penalty and Ronald Araujo was sent off, the hosts were left fighting tooth and nail for the three points.

Barca retreated in the final half hour following Araujo's 59th minute red card but survived to beat Ruben Baraja's Valencia, who are 19th and two points from safety.

Barcelona's 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg triumph over Real Madrid on Thursday followed two consecutive defeats, and this narrow victory felt like a significant step towards a first league title since 2019.