Barcelona went to the top of the Spanish Liga on Wednesday with a late 2-0 home win over Osasuna, thanks to goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bojan Krkic, dpa reported.
Barca now have 71 points from 28 games, three points more than Real Madrid, who are away to local rivals Getafe on Thursday.
Pep Guardiola's champions did not play well until the last 30 minutes, partly because Lionel Messi was not his usual exuberant self.
The first half was a scrappy, disjointed affair. Osasuna created the best chance, when Barca keeper Victor Valdes had to save from Krisztian Vadocz.
Barca increased the tempo after the interval and finally broke the stalemate 17 minutes from time. Andres Iniesta cleverly freed Maxwell down the left and the Brazilian's excellent centre was turned in at the far post by a grateful Ibrahimovic.
Messi then hit the post with a low shot, practically the only thing he did of note in the whole game. In the 89th minute super-sub Bojan - on for Ibrahimovic - made it 2-0 at the near post after more good work by Iniesta down the left.
Fourth-placed Mallorca, meanwhile, could only draw 0-0 away to Racing Santander.
Mallorca are three points behind third-placed Valencia - who are at home to Malaga later on Wednesday - but two ahead of Sevilla, who were held 1-1 by bottom team Xerez on Tuesday.
That disappointing draw led to Sevilla sacking coach Manolo Jimenez. They are now trying to sign up former Spain boss Luis Aragones.
Wednesday's other games were a 1-0 home win for Almeria over troubled Zaragoza and a lively 2-2 draw between lowly Tenerife and Villarreal.
Xerez are bottom with just 19 points. Then come Tenerife and Valladolid on 24, followed by Zargoza on 26 and Malaga on 30.