Barcelona 2-1 Mallorca: Memphis guides Xavi's back into second place

Barcelona 2-1 Mallorca: Memphis guides Xavi's back into second place

Barça are closer to qualifying for next season's Champions League after a big win at Camp Nou

Memphis Depay and Sergio Busquets were on target as Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Mallorca at Camp Nou on Sunday. 

Memphis opened the scoring in the first half with a great finish from a Jordi Alba pass and Busquets added the second with his left foot after the break. 

Antonio Raíllo got Mallorca back in the game with 10 minutes to play but the visitors were unable to snatch an unlikely draw. 

Barca move back into second in LaLiga with the win and, with four games to play, are now nine points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis, who have a game in hand, in the battle to seal a Champions League spot. 

After three straight defeats at Camp Nou in all competitions, Barca needed a win to avoid being sucked into the fight for the top four. 

They started well and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's header, set up by Gavi's perfect cross, was well saved by Sergio Rico. 

There was a scare at the other end, though, when Fer Niño shot off target at the far post with the goal gaping after Barça switched off at the back. 

Ronald Araujo almost celebrated his new contract with a goal but the flag went up before his centre-back partner, Gerard Pique, was forced off with an injury. 

Memphis finally opened the scoring with a great goal, latching on to a Jordi Alba pass before firing home from just inside the box after a great first touch. 

Barca seemed much more confident at the start of the second half. Gavi saw a shot saved after an advantage was played following a foul on Memphis. 

The second goal arrived from Busquets, who won the ball on the edge of the box before passing his third goal of the season into the bottom corner with his left foot. 

Ferran Torres then had a third goal ruled out for offside before Ansu Fati returned to action after three months out with a hamstring injury. 

There was almost late drama when Raillo turned in a free kick with 10 minutes to play but Barça kept the ball well to kill off Mallorca's chances of a draw. 

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