Barcelona have edged closer to securing the Liga title following a 1-0 win over Cadiz.
Barcelona have edged closer to securing the Liga title following a 1-0 win over Cadiz at Camp Nou.Ronaldinho's early goal proved to be the deciding factor while Samuel Eto'o missed a second half penalty to make sure of the points.
The home fans were on their feet after eight minutes when Ronaldinho smashed home Juliano Belletti's cross with a superb half-volley.
The visitors responded and were unlucky to have a goal disallowed just a minute later while Jonathan Cesma wasted a glorious chance to level matters.
Cesma did find the target with a long-range effort on the half hour mark, but Barca keeper Victor Valdes made a superb acrobatic save away to his right.
Barca should have doubled their advantage when they were awarded a penalty when Mark van Bommel went down in the area, but Eto'o saw his spot-kick saved.
The game also marked the return of midfielder Xavi following a five-month lay-off and now he will be hoping to make Spain's squad for this summer's World Cup.
Cadiz would have snatched a dramatic point had it not been for an outstanding save from Valdes to deny the substitute Oli's header.
Celta Vigo have moved to within two points of fourth placed Osasuna following a 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna at El Riazor.
David Silva opened the scoring for the visitors and things went from bad to worse when Fabricio Coloccini was sent off in the closing stages.
Substitute Jesus Perera made sure of the points when he netted a second within a minute of entering the fray.
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao's Jesus Lacruz's second half equaliser cancelled out Robert's opener for Real Betis.
La Liga:
Barcelona 1-0 Cadiz
Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Celta Vigo
Real Betis 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
