Barcelona needed an outstanding cross from Lionel Messi and a brilliant volley from Jordi Alba to prevent a first defeat of the season at Valencia, forcing a 1-1 draw that preserved their four-point lead at the top of the table over Marcelino's side.
The top-of-the-table clash did not live up to its billing in terms of quality but was high on excitement and controversy, with Messi inexplicably denied a goal when Valencia goalkeeper Neto spilled his soft shot over the line.
The incident, the second to negatively afflict Barca in 2017 due to La Liga's refusal to get with the times and implement goal-line technology, overshadowed the game and appeared to stunt Barca's confidence after a strong display in the first half, and Valencia made a bright start after the interval. They deservedly took the lead through Rodrigo's close-range strike after excellent play between Goncalo Guedes and Jose Gaya.
Former Valencia player Alba was the best perfomer on the night and haunted his old side, although Barca were fortunate Simone Zaza bounced a last-gasp effort over the bar down the other end.
Positives
Barca came away from the Mestalla with the same advantage at the top of the table as when they arrived, in spite of an underwhelming performance and the gobsmacking decision to not award Messi's goal.
Negatives
The team again failed to reach their potential against a top side, such as against Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, which could come back to bite them later in the season in the league and in Europe. They also ceded two points to Real Madrid and Atletico, who will feel they are not out of the title race just yet, and there will be a huge sense of "what if" over Messi's ghost goal.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Ernesto Valverde opted for a more cautious 4-4-2 shape than he had in the two previous wins over Sevilla and Leganes, which was understandable given the importance of the game, if a little unexciting. He was spot on with his substitutions and Barca deservedly pulled level as a result.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 -- Was not as busy as in previous outings against Leganes and Athletic Bilbao, with his only save coming against Goncalo Guedes in the second half. Could not have done much for the goal.
DF Nelson Semedo, 4 -- Weak going forward and suspect in defence, gifting a ball to Rodrigo in the area that should have been punished further. He was also easily beaten by Gaya for the goal.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 8 -- Barca's best performer alongside Alba, the Frenchman yet again bossed the defence and at times played in a holding midfield role further up the pitch. Made a crucial tackle on Rodrigo in the first half and was impeccably calm on the ball when under pressure.
DF Thomas Vermaelen, 6 -- Performed far better than expected given he hadn't played a single minute for Barca this season, his only games coming for Belgium. Was good on the ball and did not look out of place for most of the game but failed to track Rodrigo for the goal.
DF Jordi Alba, 9 -- The best player on the pitch, playing with boundless energy against his old side, constantly getting forward and operating as another winger. Produced an unstoppable finish on the volley to keep Barca four points clear at the top, choosing an ideal moment to score his first goal of the season.
MF Ivan Rakitic, 5 -- Failed to influence the game and often gave the ball away so it was to little surprise that he was the first player to be hooked.
MF Paulinho 6 -- Got forward a lot and had a couple of attempts at increasing his goal count.
MF Sergio Busquets, 8 -- Outstanding on the ball and without it, coolly cutting out countless Valencia balls and seldom misplacing a pass.
MF Andres Iniesta, 7 -- Was responsible for Barcelona controlling the first half, leading their display of ball domination and always looking to pick out teammates, most impressively with his scooped pass to Alba in the first half. Eventually tired and went off for Denis Suarez with 18 minutes to go.
FW Lionel Messi, 7 -- Played deeper than usual and was still influential but lacked his usual magic, discounting his stunning, defence-splitting pass to Alba for the equaliser. Was rightly left fuming when he was denied a goal in the first half due to La Liga's refusal to sanction goal-line technology.
FW Luis Suarez, 4 -- Lacked mobility, could not link up with Messi and kept straying offside. His only chance was a distance shot straight at Neto in the second half.
Substitutes
FW Gerard Deulofeu, 7 -- Gave Barca an extra outlet in attack from the wings.
MF Denis Suarez, NR -- Injected a bit more energy into the team as Iniesta tired, which was much needed.
DF Aleix Vidal, NR -- An improvement on Semedo, driving forward although leaving space at the back that Valencia nearly exploited.