La Liga Review: Pique strike sends Barcelona eight points clear

After all that had happened in Madrid on Saturday, Barcelona had the opportunity to extend their lead atop La Liga on Sunday evening against Sevilla.

That win was Sevilla coach Unai Emery’s first ever triumph over Barcelona and reflects a season which has seen Sevilla become unbeatable in front of their home fans, but unable to win away from home.

Barcelona’s 10th consecutive Liga win maintained its eight-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid.

Sevilla were the last side to beat Barca back in October and deservedly struck first through Vitolo.

Pique’s goal was the difference, as Barcelona tightened their grip on the defence of their La Liga crown with a 2-1 win.

“We have wanted to retain the title since the first day of the season”.

Sevilla were not cowed in the early stages and had the chance to take the lead when the ball fell to Timothee Kolodziejczak after a corner.

Twice Barcelona rattled the woodwork in the 13th minute, with Luis Suarez hitting the crossbar after Messi had clipped the post direct from a corner kick, which arrived when Sergio Rico pushed a Suarez effort round the post. A brilliantly worked passing move down the left flank saw Benoit Tremoulinas cross to the far post where the unmarked Vitolo side-footed a volley past the stranded Claudio Bravo.

Messi continued to look the most likely to score the game’s third goal as the first period approached its final moments, but Sevilla remained a threat on the counter-attack due to the pace of Kevin Gameiro.

Valencia’s four-game winning run under Gary Neville came to a sudden halt as they were beaten 3-0 by visitors Athletic Bilbao.

Messi was first, sending a corner kick toward the near post that defender Coke Andujar was lucky to head onto the upright and not into his own net.

Sevilla got a reprieve at halftime, but Barcelona didn’t have to wait long for Suarez to exchange passes with Messi before slipping the ball over for Pique to score from close range in the 48th.

“The record means nothing to me”, said Barcelona coach Luis Enrique.

Barcelona will go into the game on the back of their 2-0 Champions League win away to Arsenal and a rather less convincing victory against Las Palmas last weekend.

Barca ended up matching rivals Real Madrid record breaking 34 match unbeaten streak which went back to the 1998-99 season.