League leading Barça cruise past Celta

FC Barcelona will head into the new year three points clear of their nearest La Liga rivals after a 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo, a match in which most of the excitement occurred in the first 45 minutes.

With their victory at Camp Nou in front of nearly 80,000 spectators here on Saturday, Barça continued a dominant run of form in the Spanish league in which they have scored 13 goals and not allowed any over their last four games, Efe news reported.

The home side scored in their first opportunity of the match, with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba playing their trademark two-man game to perfection before goalkeeper Ruben Blanco's save of a shot by the Argentine superstar went to Ousmane Dembele, who scored at close range in the 10th minute.

Although Alba failed to stretch that lead on a counter-attack when his shot was blocked by a defender at the goal line, he and Messi combined once again just before halftime on a play that the Argentine finished off in a one-on-one opportunity against Blanco.

Barça, however, played more passively in the second half, content to cede possession and seek out chances on the counter-attack.

Celta started to create chances in the hosts' area, although goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen was up to the task to stymie chances by Brais Mendez and Fran Beltran.

Barça's best chance in the latter stages came on a shot by Luis Suarez that went just wide of the left upright.

Celta attempted 11 shots to Barcelona's nine during the match, although only one of those tries by the visitors was on target.

With the win, the Catalans (37 points) have a three-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league.

Third-placed Sevilla also can move to within three points of Barça by defeating Leganes on Sunday.

--IANS

ajb/mag/