Barcelona beat Valencia 1-0 despite missing a penalty and being reduced to 10 men in the space of four second-half minutes, recording their fifth consecutive H2H La Liga win to equal their longest streak.
Barça looked in full control for a period following the goal, although Valencia went on to create chances as Jesús Vázquez did well to tee up Thierry Correia for an opportunity that was ultimately headed wide.
There was a header wasted at the other end too, as Ansu Fati made a mess of his attempt from Raphinha’s inviting cross, which perhaps displayed a lack of confidence following three games without a start.
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What should have given Barça breathing space was the start of a period that made their task far more difficult, as Hugo Guillamón handled Jules Koundé’s strike to concede a penalty.
The hosts were then reduced to 10 men when Araújo pulled down Hugo Duro following a calamitous header from Koundé.
Even so, a Barcelona backline that’s conceded just one league goal at Camp Nou this season saw out their 10th win in 12 home La Liga matches this term, earning a 10-point buffer atop the table for now.
Meanwhile, Valencia are winless in eight away league matches and remain 19th as they face an uphill battle to avoid a second relegation in club history.
