MADRID, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona ensured it will retain its lead at the top of La Liga after a 3-1 win away to Elche on Saturday night.
Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead early and his side then went on to hit the woodwork three times before the break before Alvaro Rodriguez took his chance to level the score for Elche.
Ferran Torres, who had twice hit the woodwork put Barcelona back in front and although Raphinha was forced out with a groin problem, his substitute Marcus Rashford netted Barcelona's third with a right foot shot in the 71st minute.
Second-placed Real Madrid plays Rayo Vallecano on Sunday lunchtime. Madrid is four points adrift of Barcelona who has 55 points now.
Atletico Madrid dropped two points in a 0-0 draw away to Levante in a game in which Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth had to be taken to hospital after a clash of heads.
Gerard Moreno scored a penalty and a header from a corner as Villarreal had a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna, who drew level thanks to the impressive Victor Munoz.
Ilyas Chaira's 73rd minute tap-in saw Oviedo win 1-0 at home to Girona for its third victory of the season, which ended a winless run of 14 matches. Veteran midfielder Santi Cazorla started the move with Thiago Fernandez setting up Chaira to score against his former club.
Alaves won 2-1 away to Espanyol on Friday night to climb into mid-table and extend Espanyol's run of poor form. The club on Saturday announced it had signed Finnish Ville Koski from Croatian side NK Istra until the end of the season. ■
