Barcelona consolidate top spot in LaLiga after Pedri's winner at Villarreal
- Heinrich Griessel
- 13 February 2023
Pedri scored a decisive first-half goal for Barcelona against Villarreal to move the Catalans 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
A one-two with Robert Lewandowski allowed Pedri to slip beyond the Villarreal defence and finish beyond former Barcelona goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 18th minute, and there was no way back for the hosts as Barca won 1-0.
Real have been in action in the Club World Cup this week, beating Al-Hilal 5-3 in Saturday's final, but Los Blancos can eat into a sizeable deficit when they take on rock-bottom Elche on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Memphis Depay grabbed his first goal since swapping Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in last month's transfer window, swivelling and dragging beyond Celta Vigo goalkeeper Ivan Villar in the 89th minute.
Atletico were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes following last man Stefan Savic's foul on Haris Seferovic but, with a stalemate looming, Depay struck late on as the visitors won 1-0.
Rayo Vallecano remain sixth after being held to a 1-1 draw at Getafe while Real Valladolid and Osasuna finished goalless.
