Barcelona have salvaged a 2-1 win over gritty Getafe in a match between the second and third teams in Spain's La Liga.
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Getafe put on a tough fight at the Camp Nou on Saturday, missing some clear chances and seeing a goal called back by VAR halfway through the first half.
But Antoine Griezmann and Sergi Roberto scored goals five minutes apart before the break to give Barcelona a big enough gap to hold on for the victory.
It was Barcelona's second consecutive league win since pressure grew on new coach Quique Setien following the team's elimination against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
The victory left second-placed Barcelona tied on points with Real Madrid at the top of the standings ahead their rivals' home match against relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Getafe, who were coming off four straight league wins, stayed 10 points behind the two Spanish powerhouses. They kept a two-point advantage over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew 2-2 at Valencia on Friday.
Getafe, a modest club from southern Madrid, have been the league's sensation for the second straight season and are again in contention for a Champions League spot.
They made the Europa League last season, a competition where they host Ajax in the first leg of the round of 32 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mallorca beat Alaves 1-0 to end a four-match losing streak and move out of the relegation zone.
Young Colombian Cucho Hernandez scored a 63rd-minute winner to leave the hosts a point from safety.
Mallorca had a goal disallowed by VAR early in the second half and missed a penalty kick in the first half.
Alaves stayed in 14th place.
Australian Associated Press