Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Ferran Torres strike gives Barca precious victory in La Liga title race

Ferran Torres' strike on the stroke of half-time was enough to give Barcelona an important victory over Atletico Madrid in their pursuit of the La Liga title.

The former Manchester City forward was found superbly by Raphinha from the left flank and coolly slotted the ball beyond Jan Oblak.

The defeat was a bit harsh on Atletico who could have gone in front within a minute of kick-off when former Barcelona man Antoine Griezmann saw his effort come back off the crossbar.

In an entertaining second half, both sides had a number of chances, but none better than Raphinha's when Robert Lewandowski's low, driven cross along the six-yard box presented him with an open goal, but the Brazilian could only divert the ball back towards the out-of-position Oblak to gather.

The win leaves Barcelona 11 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, while Atletico are five points adrift of their city rivals in third.

Title is surely Barcelona's now - With eight games to go, in a season which will not end until the first week of June, there remains a mathematical chance of Real Madrid catching Barcelona at the top of the table. In reality though, even the most optimistic of Los Meringues will give up on their chances after this victory over Atletico. Barca have played more fluently and their forwards have certainly been more in sync and playing with more confidence, but when you don't concede goals you are not going to drop many points. Of all the things Barcelona fans expected when Xavi returned to the club, a defensive season bearing comparison to the best managed by Fabio Capello in Serie A was surely not one of them. And it is certainly more a case of system working superbly rather than great defensive individuals.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) - Raphinia could well have earned this award if he were not docked a point for his inexplicable miss. Ter Stegen is a worthy winner though. With a revolving roster of centre backs in front of him, he remains a calm presence which assures his team-mates when the ball enters his penalty area. His fine stop from Griezmann in the first half was the pick of his saves but like the best goalkeepers down the years he has a presence and clean sheet record now which must intimidate strikers who come up with against him and you never feel he will be beaten.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 8*; Kounde7, Araujo 7, Alonso 6, Balde 6; De Jong 7, Busquets 6, Gavi 6; Raphinha 7, Lewandowski 6, Torres 7.

Subs: Pedri 6, Garcia 6, Kessie 6, Fati 6.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7; Molina 7, Gimenez 6, Savic 6, Hermoso 6; Carrasco 7, De Paul 7, Witsel 6, Lemar 6; Griezmann 7, Correa 6.

Subs: Barrios 6, Morata 7, Saul 6, Reguilon 6.

2' GRIEZMANN HITS THE CROSSBAR! A mistake from Busquets set up the chance for the visitors. Lemar pounced on the ball and set up his compatriot whose effort beat ter Stegen but not the bar.

35' TER STEGEN DENIES GRIEZMANN! Correa laid the ball on for the former Barcelona forward and his low effort on the turn required a smart stop from the Azulgrana stopper.

44' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! Ferran Torres calmly slotted home after being found brilliantly in a central position outside the area by Raphinia on the right flank.

71' WHAT A SAVE FROM OBLAK Or maybe, what a miss! Lewandowski drilled a ball across the six-yard box and, presented with an open goal, Raphinia could only direct the ball back towards the keeper who gleefully stopped the shot.

88' MORATA CLOSE TO AN EQUALISER! He glanced a header from Reguilon's left-wing cross but it flew just wide of the far post.