Barça goes marching on

Barcelona racked up its 14th win out of 15 league games this season at a stadium where Real Madrid lost a few weeks back, but not without a struggle. Ultimately, though, the league leaders held firm to grab all three points and add to a record run that is blowing all the other contenders out of the water.
The 'Azulgranas' initially threatened to run away with it, overcoming an early injury to Fàbregas to move 2-0 up through a Messi brace. However, when Rubén Castro reduced arrears following a superb Betis break before the interval, the script changed dramatically, and there were several further twists in the tale still to come.
After dictating the first period, Barça went into half time 2-1 to the good. The scoreline would remain unchanged at the final whistle, despite a pile of chances which saw the woodwork hit five times in the second half (three times by Betis and twice by Barcelona).
A perfect mix of perspiration and inspiration, Betis showed enough to win and believed in an upset to the last. The hosts threw everything at the Catalans, from dead balls whipped in by Beñat to well-worked counterattacks. Unfortunately for the Andalusians, a combination of poor finishing and bad luck – Victor Valdés and the woodwork together thwarted numerous chances – meant an equaliser proved elusive.
Though under the cosh, Barcelona could also have added to its lead on various occasions. The match remained tantalisingly poised until right at the death, when Betis 'keeper Adrián went up for a corner in the last minute of stoppage time – a fitting finale for what was a gripping night of football.