Barcelona's Jeremy Mathieu, from France celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between RC Celta and Barcelona, at the Balaídos stadium in Vigo, Spain (Photo: AP)
Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona edged a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday to keep their four-lead over Real Madrid intact after the latter crushed Granada 9-1 earlier in the day.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored five goals for Real Madrid to take his tally in La Liga this season to 36, four ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi, who was unable to get on the scoresheet in Galicia, where Jeremy Mathieu headed the winner in the 73rd minute.
Barca have 71 points with nine games left, with Real on 67. Champions Atletico Madrid are third on 62 points after they won 2-0 at bottom side Cordoba on Saturday.
Barca managed to restore their four-point lead despite failing to sparkle at Celta, who missed several good chances in the first half.
Mathieu, who scored the opener in the 'Clasico', grabbed the decisive goal when he leapt to nod a Xavi free kick in off the crossbar at the far post.
Celta winger Fabian Orellana was shown a needless red card for throwing a piece of turf at Sergio Busquets two minutes from time.
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