Barcelona were held at home to an entertaining draw by battling Celta Vigo. Barca can count themselves unlucky but for Celta Vigo it was a deserved draw for their fighting qualities.
Celta actually took the lead after 20 minutes through Iago Aspas. A Maxi Gomez shot was saved by Marc-Andre Stegen, but the ball fell kindly for Aspas who slotted the ball home from 3 yards.
Messi in action against Bilbao
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Lionel Messi latched onto Paulinho’s pass and fired a left-foot low drive into the back of the net.
Barca should have taken the lead on a couple of occasions as Luis Suarez had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, while Messi hit a post.
Suarez did score in the second half as he put Barca ahead from Jordi Alba's cross after a Messi pass, but Gomez equalised for Celta from Aspas' cutback.
Suarez puts Barca ahead
Barcelona are now five points above Valencia, who visit Getafe on Sunday, while rivals Real Madrid are 8 points behind in 4th place after drawing with Athletic Bilbao.
It was a frustrating evening for Real as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both hit the post, while Sergio Ramos was sent off in a 0-0 draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Zinedine Zidane's champions failed to capitalise on Barcelona’s earlier draw, and although they had a lot of the ball many attempts, there were only 4 on target.
Ronaldo hit the post in Real's 0-0 draw
It got worse for Real as Sergio Ramos was dismissed for the 19th time in La Liga, as he received a second yellow for a foul on Raul Garcia.
Celta weren’t without chances themselves. Real keeper Keylor Navas produced a couple of fine saves to keep out Inaki Williams and Aduriz. To keep Real just about in toucjing distance.
Ramos, wearing the lask for protection, was sent off again
This time last year Real were at the top of La Liga on 34 points from 14 games, but a point at Bilbao means they have 6 points less and currently sit in 4th position.
In the other games in La Liga, Atletico Madrid moved up to 3rd and a point behind Valencia, after coming from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2-1. Willian Jose put Sociedad ahead from the penalty spot, but Filipe Luis equalised, and Real Madrid and Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann's scored an 88th-minute winner.
Antoine Griezmann celebrates his 88th minute winner
Sevilla beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-0. Malaga and Levante played out a 0-0 draw, and the rest play today.
Sources:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.dailymail.co.uk
www.cdn.com
