Barcelona player ratings vs Valencia: Raphinha gets Ansu Fati & Ferran Torres out of jail as 10 men hang on for vital win

The Brazil international headed home the only goal of the game as the Blaugrana hung on after Ronald Araujo’s red card

Raphinha’s first-half goal was enough for Barcelona to see off Valencia at home and extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 10 points, at least for a few hours.

Barca wasted no time asserting themselves on the game, and Raphinha handed the Blaugrana the lead inside 20 minutes, meeting Sergio Busquets’ chip with a deft header.

Ferran Torres should have doubled Barcelona’s lead in the second half, but clanged a spot-kick off the post after 54 minutes.

Barca then handed Valencia a further lifeline after Ronald Araujo was sent off for dragging Hugo Duro down as he ran through on goal.

Xavi’s side, though, turned in a measured showing for the final 30 minutes, grinding out a 1-0 home win that could go a long way to helping them seal the title.

GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Camp Nou…

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