Getty Images
Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist
Barcelona saw out a nervy win against Rayo Vallecano to return to the top of La Liga for the first time since December.
Robert Lewandowski’s first-half penalty was enough for Barca to leapfrog title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, after both capital clubs dropped points in 1-1 draws on Saturday.
The Poland striker rolled his spot-kick in off the post – his 20th league goal of the season – after the hosts were awarded a contentious penalty following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Rayo midfielder Pathe Ciss was penalised for pulling down Inigo Martinez in the box, though the Barcelona centre-back was never close to getting to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.
The visitors were incensed when they were denied a penalty following a similar incident, this time Ciss going to ground.
The controversy continued as Rayo thought they had equalised when Jorge de Frutos latched on to a through ball and finished past Wojciech Szczesny, but striker Randy Nteka – standing in an offside position – was judged to have interfered with Martinez’s ability to make a tackle.
Barcelona spurned several chances to score in the second half, and were fortunate not to concede a late equaliser when De Frutos headed over following a Rayo counter-attack.
Hansi Flick’s side go top of the table with 51 points, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, and one point above Atletico, with 14 games left to play.
Related topics
Match ends, Barcelona 1, Rayo Vallecano 0.
Second Half ends, Barcelona 1, Rayo Vallecano 0.
Ferran Torres (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Ferran Torres (Barcelona).
Gerard Gumbau (Rayo Vallecano) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Sergi Guardiola (Rayo Vallecano) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Gerard Gumbau with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Rayo Vallecano. Conceded by Eric García.
Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Sergi Guardiola (Rayo Vallecano).
Attempt missed. Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Adri Embarba with a cross.
Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
Foul by Ferran Torres (Barcelona).
Florian Lejeune (Rayo Vallecano) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Pep Chavarría (Rayo Vallecano) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Barcelona. Marc Casadó replaces Frenkie de Jong.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Rayo Vallecano. Sergi Guardiola replaces Álvaro García.
Adri Embarba (Rayo Vallecano) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Delay in match (Barcelona).
