Celta: Sergio Alvarez; Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Fontàs, Jonny; Pablo Hernández (Santi Mina 83’), Augusto Fernández, Krohn-Dehli (Radoja 67’); Orellana, Larrivey (Charles 71’), Nolito. 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Bravo; Dani Alves, Piqué, Matieu, Adriano; Rafinha (Xavi 58‘), Busquets, Iniesta (Pedro 75’); Messi, Luis Suárez (Rakitic 87‘), Neymar. 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 73. Mathieu. Flung himself forward to head Xavi free kick in off crossbar.
Yellow cards: Krohn-Dehli 24’, Luis Suárez 45’, Busquets 88’, Nolito 94’ / red cards: Orellana 87’.
Barcelona stay four points clear at the top of the table after a narrow 0-1 victory at Celta in the last game of Sunday evening. Half a season ago the Galicians won by the same scoreline in the Nou Camp, and they had the better of the first half, Bravo having to save from Larrivey, who then fired a good chance into the stands. The striker also had a goal ruled out in between as Orellana was offside in the build up, and only a long shot from Messi caused any problems for Sergio Alvarez in the local goal. After the restart though Neymar got the ball in the net only for the referee to disallow the strike for offside, this time incorrectly, and Messi, Alves and Xavi all fired shots wide. Nolito went close at the other end and Piqué put in a timely tackle on Charles as he lined up to shoot, but a couple of minutes later Mathieu flung himself forward on the far post to head a wide Xavi free kick in off the crossbar, his second goal in as many games. With four minutes to go Celta were left with ten men when Orellana was caught throwing a lump of turf at Busquets, and Messi could have scored a second had he not lobbed his shot over the bar when free in front of the keeper.