Lionel Messi broke his latest La Liga record as the champions Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Nou Camp to move closer to retaining their crown.
Late strikes by Luis Suarez and Messi gave the Catalans an 11-point lead at the top of the table after they overcame stubborn ten-man Atletico.
Their surely unassailable lead at the top is now stretched with just seven games remaining, leaving Barca on the brink of more Spanish title glory.
Messi has now won more La Liga games than anyone in history - moving ahead of former Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas on to 335 victories.
I asked the referee and he told me Costa said something to him.
Diego Simeone
Atletico realistically needed to win at the Nou Camp for the first time since 2006 to stay in the title race and they played with ambition and intelligence in the opening stages, though they were left staring into the abyss when Diego Costa earned a straight red card on 28 minutes, seemingly for dissent to the referee.
Several players were involved in an ensuing altercation, with Barca's Gerard Pique eventually ensuring that Costa left the field.
"I asked the referee and he told me Costa said something to him," Atletico boss Diego Simeone said afterwards. "Other players have said things and not been sent off but that does not justify what Costa did."
Former Liverpool striker Suarez bent in a low shot from 25 yards with five minutes remaining in the game and, within a minute, Messi raced in on goal to double the lead.
Barcelona are at Old Trafford this week for a Champions League last-eight showdown with Manchester United.
The Spaniards are 19/20 to win the first leg, with United 31/10 and the draw 27/10.
View all Soccer betting
Lionel Messi broke his latest La Liga record as the champions Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at the Nou Camp to move closer to retaining their crown.
Late strikes by Luis Suarez and Messi gave the Catalans an 11-point lead at the top of the table after they overcame stubborn ten-man Atletico.
Their surely unassailable lead at the top is now stretched with just seven games remaining, leaving Barca on the brink of more Spanish title glory.
Messi has now won more La Liga games than anyone in history - moving ahead of former Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas on to 335 victories.
I asked the referee and he told me Costa said something to him.
Diego Simeone
Atletico realistically needed to win at the Nou Camp for the first time since 2006 to stay in the title race and they played with ambition and intelligence in the opening stages, though they were left staring into the abyss when Diego Costa earned a straight red card on 28 minutes, seemingly for dissent to the referee.
Several players were involved in an ensuing altercation, with Barca's Gerard Pique eventually ensuring that Costa left the field.
"I asked the referee and he told me Costa said something to him," Atletico boss Diego Simeone said afterwards. "Other players have said things and not been sent off but that does not justify what Costa did."
Former Liverpool striker Suarez bent in a low shot from 25 yards with five minutes remaining in the game and, within a minute, Messi raced in on goal to double the lead.
Barcelona are at Old Trafford this week for a Champions League last-eight showdown with Manchester United.
The Spaniards are 19/20 to win the first leg, with United 31/10 and the draw 27/10.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com