Barca move nine clear in Spain after narrow win while Real Madrid draw

MADRID, March 5 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona defeated Valencia 1-0 to move nine points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday afternoon after Real Madrid drew 0-0 away to Betis.

Raphinha's flicked header from Sergio Busquets' pass in the 15th minute was enough to give Barca all three points for another below-par performance.

Ferran Torres hit a 54th-minute penalty against the woodwork against his former club,