Second-placed Barcelona extended their unbeaten streak in the La Liga to nine games with a 1-0 home win over mid-table Las Palmas on Saturday, courtesy a second-half header by winger Raphinha after the visitors were reduced to 10 men in the opening period.

Barcelona, who face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter finals next month, have now won seven of their last nine La Liga outings to move onto 67 points from 30 games.

“The game turned good for us after the sending off of the goalkeeper (Alvaro Valles) and we deserved more goals to win comfortably,” coach Xavi Hernandez told Movistar.

The Barca manager was not on the bench as he was serving the first game of a two-match ban after being sent off during their 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid before the international break.

Xavi’s side have now kept five consecutive clean sheets in La Liga for the first time since they managed six between August and October 2022.

Barcelona forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were denied early goals before the Brazilian found the net in the 59th minute.

He headed in a superb cross by substitute Joao Felix into the top corner.

Las Palmas went down to 10 men after 24 minutes when Valles was sent off after rushing out and bringing down Raphinha.

As a result, Las Palmas’ only forward Munir had to come off against his former club to make way for keeper Aaron Escandell.

Reuters