La Liga: Lewandowski scores as Barcelona climb to the top of La Liga
Robert Lewandowski scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona edged to a 1-0 victory in Mallorca.
In a game with little goalmouth action, the Pole made the effort himself, taking a ball from Fati on the left wing before turning inside a defender and curling the ball inside the far post.
Xavi Hernandez earned a new domestic record of 18 consecutive league matches on the road without defeat, moving ahead of former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
Ter Stegen, who has started this season in top form, beat his own personal record of 500 minutes without conceding in LaLiga, reaching 534 minutes and counting.
At the other end, Lewandowski leads the scoring charts in Spain on nine goals from seven games, after clinically curling into the bottom corner to break the deadlock against Mallorca.
Xavi deployed young left-back Alejandro Balde out of position on the right side of his defence because of injuries to Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and Hector Bellerin, and brought Ansu Fati into the starting line-up.
Barcelona struggled to create more openings and the game threatened to boil over, with a flurry of bookings and Xavi’s assistant and brother, Oscar Hernandez, being issued a red card for apparent dissent.
Kang-in Lee sent a shot agonisingly wide of the far post as Mallorca tried to hit Barcelona on the counter at the death.
Earlier Atletico Madrid cruised to a 2-0 win over a toothless Sevilla, increasing the pressure on Julen Lopetegui.
Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Morata’s goals took Atletico provisionally up to sixth, while leaving the hosts 16th, just a point above the relegation zone.
Atletico dominated, with Morata missing two big chances and Llorente drilling into the far corner in the 29th minute, beyond the reach of Bono.
After a mistake by Jose Carmona, Morata doubled the lead before the hour mark, neatly lofting home.
Only impressive saves from Bono prevented Cunha and substitute Antoine Griezmann from adding to Atletico’s lead, as they answered their critics after derby defeat by Real Madrid.
Earlier Villarreal could not find a way past Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma in a 0-0 draw on the road, while Real Valladolid won 3-2 at Getafe.
