SEVILLE, Spain - Ten-man Barcelona earned a hard-fought 4-1 win at struggling Sevilla with goals by Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia on Sunday to edge closer to the top of LaLiga.
The win lifted third-placed Barca to 48 points, one behind Atletico Madrid in second and two off leaders Real Madrid after the capital rivals drew 1-1 on Saturday.
Sevilla, without a win in three league games, are in 13th spot on 28 points.
Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead from close range in the seventh minute but Ruben Vargas hit straight back to equalize for the home side from a quick counter a minute later.
Lopez came off the bench and put Barca in front again two minutes after the break and Raphinha extended their lead in the 55th minute with a brilliant strike from outside the box.
Five minutes later, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Lopez was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Djibril Sow, but they held off Sevilla and managed to score their fourth through Eric Garcia's header in the 89th minute.
"Today we had to win to be in the mix for the title race. We're putting pressure on," Barca defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN.
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"We are working well. The result is perfect for us. We have a very good feeling right now and we're enjoying the way that we are playing.
"We suffered with one less player but held on well and even scored a goal ... This is the way."
Lewandowski opened the scoring after a short corner routine as Raphinha lifted a cross to the far post where defender Martinez headed the ball back across goal where the Polish striker was waiting to steer it into the net.
But straight away Sevilla launched a quick counter-attack with Saul beating the offside trap to receive a through ball in his stride and after a great run up the right channel he crossed to the unmarked Vargas who tapped into the empty net.
Both teams had chances to grab the lead but in the first action of the second half substitute Lopez scored Barca's second with a towering header from a brilliant cross by Pedri.
In the 55th minute Sevilla were left fuming over a push from behind on Djibril Sow inside the box by Jules Kounde and appealed for a penalty. But the referee did not consider the contact enough to be an infringement and let play continue.
That allowed Barca to launch a quick counter attack that ended with Raphinha unleashing an unstoppable low drive into the corner from outside the box to extend the visitors' lead.
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Sevilla tried to capitalize on their man advantage but seemed anxious and paid the price when Garcia scored to wrap up a victory that kept Barcelona firmly in the title race.
