Barcelona are five points clear for the time being at the top of La Liga after a hard-earned victory over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.
Neymar’s header early in the second half and spectacular strike from Pedro late on proved enough for the Blaugrana, who had several opportunities to take the lead before the break.
The first of those chances came within the opening minutes after Daniel Alves’s pinpoint cross found the head of Lionel Messi, but the Argentine was denied by a flying save from Geronimo Rulli.
Moments later, Barca again went close to taking the lead as Rulli tipped away Neymar’s low drive.
Later in the half, the leaders missed another chance when Messi delivered an inch-perfect cross to the left side of the area for Luis Suarez, only for the Uruguayan to miss the target as Luis Enrique’s men failed to make the most of their first-half dominance.
They did, however, take the lead when Neymar’s far-post header from Messi cross finally found a way past the resolute Rulli.
Just before the hour mark, Barca tried to add a second as Suarez looked to fashion a half-chance, but was denied by a sliding tackle from Carlos Martinez before he could unleash his shot.
The hosts did make sure of victory when Pedro’s bicycle kick, moments after coming on a substitute, potentially put Barca within sight of the title.
If a proposed player’s strike goes ahead in Spain then the Catalan giants may already be champions, with the final two rounds of fixture in La Liga and the Copa del Rey final under threat.
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