Pedro struck both goals to give Barcelona a narrow 2-1 win over Levante at the Nou Camp on Sunday evening as La Liga resumed following the winter break.
After a goalless first half, the Spain forward netted twice in the space of 12 minutes to give Pep Guardiola’s side the upper hand, and the Catalans held on to provisionally move five points clear of fierce rivals Real Madrid, despite Christian Stuani’s late volley.
Barca were missing both first-choice central defenders for this game, with captain Carles Puyol injured and Gerard Pique suspended. In their absence, holding midfielder Sergio Busquets was asked to fill in at the back alongside full-back Eric Abidal, who switched to a central role.