Barca restores La Liga lead, Griezmann earns Atletico win

Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Sergi Roberto helped Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 and restore their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Antoine Griezmann’s incredible strike helped Atletico Madrid win 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao to tighten their grip on fourth place.

Real Madrid’s title win at Osasuna on Saturday drew them closer to Barca’s Xavi Hernandez, who has one eye on Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

But an inspired Ferran Torres helped Sergi Roberto break the deadlock and Lewandowski added a second to leave Cadiz, 17th, two points above the relegation zone.

The visitors had two Roger Marti goals disallowed and left Barcelona uncomfortable at Camp Nou, but victory was rarely in doubt.

Xavi started alongside Sergi Roberto in midfield, replacing Pedri, who picked up a thigh injury in last Thursday’s Europa League 2-2 first leg draw with Manchester United.

The coach passionately defended the Catalan after the game, saying he was a player who was often used as a scapegoat.

“I have heard the most unfair criticism (of him) in my life,” Xavi told reporters.

“He is a local player, with a spectacular attitude, always trying to help the team, he is not selfish.”

But it was the arrival of Torres that made the main difference for Barcelona in the first half.

The winger has struggled a lot this season, but with Ousmane Dembele injured and Raphinha rested to face United, he grabbed his chance with both hands.

Torres is hyperactive, dribbling past defenders at pace and tying the Cadiz defense in knots.

One run down the right saw him cross for Lewandowski after 43 minutes and although the Poland striker’s effort was saved, Sergi Roberto was on hand to strike again.

Three minutes later, Barcelona doubled their lead when Lewandowski collected the ball on the edge of the Cadiz box and fired a low strike into the bottom corner.

“I work to show football, really I don’t have many minutes and (not much) importance in the team,” Torres told Movistar.

“Every time the coach gives me confidence, I go out to show what I want.”

Some Barcelona fans chanted Torres’ name in response to his electric performance, cheering the striker on after a difficult spell.

“I’m proud he said my name,” she added. “There is still work to be done, which is difficult to do.”

Barcelona took the gas in the second half, although Lewandowski clipped the top of the crossbar.

La Liga’s top scorer with 15 goals, Lewandowski hasn’t been at his best since the World Cup but is slowly coming back to life.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has kept a clean sheet, Barcelona have conceded just seven goals from 22 games in La Liga.

In Europe, it has been another story, with Xavi hoping that his side can prove stronger at the back against Man United than they did in the first leg.

Classic shirt

Atletico’s win over Athletic helped them close the gap on third-placed Real Sociedad to two points, after the Basque side drew on Saturday.

Athletic play in the classic red and white striped shirt, and Atletico wear their away shirt, even though Diego Simeone’s side are at home in the Metropolitano stadium.

The hosts wanted to pay tribute to celebrate Athletic’s 125th anniversary – with Atletico being formed as a branch of Athletic in 1903.

Griezmann made the difference in a tight match after 73 minutes when he combined with Depay.

The pair exchanged passes and Griezmann burst into the box to score his seventh league goal of the season.

Rayo Vallecano and visitors Sevilla shared a 1-1 draw, with the hosts, sixth, unable to exert maximum pressure at the top in their bid to secure European football next season.

Sevilla have struggled on the road in recent weeks, while their home form has helped them climb mid-table after a poor start to the season.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side took the lead when Suso’s effort from distance was deflected at the death of Oscar Valentin, but Florian Lejeune headed home from a corner to level.

Sergi Darder’s late strike earned Espanyol a 1-0 win at bottom of the table Elche.

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