da bet esporte： The striker's poor run of form continued and his side could be nine points off the top on Monday

da wazamba： Joao Felix grabbed an important goal, but Barcelona were lacking in attack once again, dropping points in La Liga's title race. This was, at times, a wasteful Barca performance, with usual star man Robert Lewandowski failing to fire, and the reigning champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The Blaugrana worked their way into promising positions throughout, but did little when they got there. The chief culprit was misfiring striker Lewandowski, whose loose touches in the box cost his side several chances. Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili did his part, though, making tidy saves in the first half to deny first Pedri and then Lewandowski.

Barca's opening goal was a silky thing, a swift move that started with a trivela pass from Frenkie de Jong 35 yards from goal, and two touches later, was in the back of the net off Felix's foot. But Valencia offered a response, Hugo Guillamon curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box following some loose defending.

The Blaugrana had a series of chances late on to find a winner. Ferran Torres fired right at the keeper and Raphinha worked an angle but saw his shot denied with a goal line clearance as ultimately, the Valencia back-five held on.

Unfavourable results elsewhere could see Xavi's men fall nine points off the top by Monday evening. The manager could be in trouble.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Mestalla…

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Inaki Pena (5/10):

Couldn't do anything about the goal. Nothing else to do.

Joao Cancelo (6/10):

Finally(!) moved back to his preferred right-back spot. The diagonal pings from deep were devastating, but his influence waned.

Ronald Araujo (5/10):

Shaky at the back, for once. A lapse almost allowed Valencia to score after two minutes.

Jules Kounde (4/10):

A really mixed showing after a difficult few weeks. Easily exploited in one-on-one duels, and lacked pace in the channels.

Alejandro Balde (5/10):

Handed a start after enduring a run out of the side. Had no support on the left whatsoever.

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Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

Ran it from centre-midfield. Completed 94 per cent of his passes. Crucial in Felix's goal. Got stuck in, too. A silly yellow will see him suspended for the next game.

Pedri (7/10):

Calm in central midfield. Kept the ball moving and linked up well with his team-mates. Something nearing his best.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Played in a very advanced role, effectively functioning as a second striker at times. Struggled to get involved so high up the pitch.

Joao Felix (7/10):

Endured a rough start to the game, but played some sparkling stuff after the break. Barca weren't quite the same after he was taken off.

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Raphinha (5/10):

Provided a lovely assist for Felix, a real contrast to a messy performance. He missed a few chances and was too predictable in his dribbling.

Robert Lewandowski (3/10):

Put an effort on target with an acrobatic volley, but was otherwise wasteful. Loose on the ball, and not exactly sharp in his passing.

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Ferran Torres (4/10):

Missed a sitter right after coming on.

Lamine Yamal (N/A):

Introduced far too late. Let the kid play more!

Xavi (4/10):

Backed most of his title-winning side from last season, bringing Balde, Kounde and Pedri into the team. And it didn't really work. Barca were poor for long stretches, and relied on a moment of brilliance to snatch a point. The pressure is on.