FC Barcelona moved back to eight points clear of La Liga (LL) as they easily dispatched Cádiz 2-0 at the Camp Nou.
This moved Blaugrana’s unbeaten run to 18 matches in all competitions as they eye their first title since 2019.
This result leaves the Yellow Submarines nervously looking over their shoulders as they remain just two points above the drop zone.
Despite pulling off a shock win at the Camp Nou last season, Cádiz came into this game desperate to post back-to-back league wins for the first time since May 2021.
A youthful looking Barcelona set about trying to dominate Cádiz. They fashioned the first chance within the first five minutes of the contest with Eric García heading wide from just outside the six yard box.
Blaugrana spent the majority of the first period in the visitors’ half as expected.
However, they were given a warning by Cádiz that they could be lethal on the counter-attack when Roger Martí thought he had beaten the offside trap and scored, only for the flag to be lifted.
Barcelona scored the opening goal on the stroke of HT. Torres drove into the box, Robert Lewandowski’s header was cleared off the line, before Sergi Roberto slotted home to give the hosts a much deserved lead.
Minutes later, Lewandowski made it 2-0, when he received a pass outside the penalty area, and coolly slotted home for his 15th LL goal of the season.
The second half was almost a repeat of the first with Barcelona dominating possession and Cádiz having a disallowed goal. Martí again had the ball in the net, but this time it was ruled out for a foul in the buildup.
The visitors will be disappointed that they failed to follow up last season’s impressive performance despite hitting the woodwork in the closing stages through Chris Ramos and Choco Lozano.
This meant that Cádiz lost three consecutive away games in LL for the first time since April 2006.
Barcelona will take their current dominant form to Manchester United on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League tie which is evenly poised at 2-2.
