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Xabi scores Barc's winner against Granada
Xabi crowned his 392nd La Liga appearance with a precious goal, the only one of the night, come thanks to an outstanding free kick taken by the playmaker amid the first half. As expected, Barca put pressure from the very beginning something which saw Uche take an early yellow card for Granada for a foul on Mascherano.
Barcelona got their first chance in the eighth minute through Cuenca whose finish was blocked by Busquets at the death and just outside the box in what could have been an early scare for the visitors. Mascherano got his tenth minute effort saved by keeper Roberto, while Xabi got his dangerous pass intercepted just one minute later.
Messi, who was chasing his first away goal of the season, edged the opener in the 13th minute when the Ballon d’Or had his effort tipped by Roberto. Granada broke back immediately through Cuenco whose finish missed the target.
Davi Alves picked his first yellow card in the 26th minute for a foul on Benitez. Abidal then delivered a perfect cross which was meant to reach Messi, only to be intercepted by Roberto. Barca won a free kick in the 35th minute which with Xabi taking the responsibility for it. The midfielder struck the ball over the wall and past the keeper to put the away side into the lead.
He half time went 1-0 to the Catalans, while the second one brought Granada a couple of red cards received by midfielders Romero and Benitez. Cuenca tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box in the 75th minute but his effort did not change the scoreboard.
It finished 1-0 as Barca are top of the table with 21 points. On the other side, Granada are second from the bottom with five points in nine games.
Said Xabi after the game: “It was a difficult match that we were unable to kill off in the second half. Generally it was a good performance but everything can be improved on.”
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