Barca took a chance by leaving Messi and Suarez on the bench. Other key figures, such as centre-back Samuel Umtiti and left-back Jordi Alba, were also left out.
1. Barcelona: 33 matches played, +64 goal difference, 83 points
Heres what those results mean for the updated standings:
The draw meant Sevilla slipped to seventh after Villarreal ended the evening by beating Leganes at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal will welcome three more points in their pursuit of Europe.
via Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights 101 Great Goals
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Its the first goal in Spains top flight for the forward who has endured a tough time with injury since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Dembele getting on the scoresheet also represented a first of a different kind for the Blaugrana, per OptaJose:
Depor needed more than just a point at the Estadio Riazor but couldnt break Sevilla down. The visitors received a strong defensive showing from Argentinian centre-back Gabriel Mercado.
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Fittingly, it was Aspas who scored Celtas equaliser. The last touch appeared to come off his hand, but the skippers goal stood to bring up a career milestone, per Sky Sports Statto:
The Blaugrana rested players with one eye on Saturdays Copa del Rey final. Their opponents, Sevilla, warmed up with an uninspiring goalless draw away to relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna.
Would love to know Aspass stats tonight. Seems to have done absolutely everything and loads of it.
To their credit, the hosts battled back valiantly, drawing level though Jonny on the stroke of halftime. His goal prompted Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde to bring Messi off the bench in place of a subdued Philippe Coutinho on the hour mark.
2010 – @Dembouz is the first French forward to score in La Liga for @FCBarcelona since @ThierryHenry (April 2010 vs Xerez). Memory
Iago Aspas has reached the 20-goal mark for the 1st time in his La Liga career. Hes the 1st Celta player to score 20 La Liga goals in a season since Mauro Rodriguez Cuesta (23) in 1955-56
Barcelonas unbeaten run should have been ended in stoppage time, but Lucas Boye missed from close range after being played in thanks to another astute pass from Aspas.
It was 2-0 10 minutes after the restart when Carlos Bacca produced a typically shrewd finish to beat Ivan Cuellar.Darko Brasanac pulled one back eight minutes from the end, but Leganes couldnt get the equaliser.
He needed to be in good form because Depor kept the pressure on, with Lucas Perez and Adrian Lopez quick, lively and inventive in the final third. Try as they might, though, the duo couldnt produce the decisive quality.
Barcelona remain unbeaten in La Liga this season after drawing 2-2 with Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Tuesday. Barca moved 12 points clear at the top, despite puttingLionel MessiandLuis Suarezon the bench and having Sergi Roberto sent off inside the final 20 minutes.
The Celta attacker had caused Barcas refreshed defence problems all night, with theGuardians Sid Lowe full of praise for the former Liverpool man:
Dropped points were compounded for Sevilla when Villarreal took full advantage at home to struggling Leganes. The Yellow Submarine went in front three minutes before the end of the half when Victor Ruiz finished smartly from inside the box.
Full standings are available, perBBC Sport.
Barca are three points closer to the title and will pay close attention to Wednesdays game between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, as well as Atletico Madrid visiting Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Here are the results from Tuesdays matches:
Once again though, Celta refused to buckle and soon had a man advantage when Roberto was shown a red card after dragging backIago Aspas.
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The gamble looked to have paid off when Ousmane Dembele scored with a superb strike nine minutes before the break.
Barca had survived a major scare, but remain in good shape for Saturdays cup final.
The stalemate has left Deportivo four points away from safety, with 17th-placed side Levante having played a game less. Sevilla face an identical gap to derby rivals Real Betis, who sit fifth.
It was a weakened team, but ESPN FCs Samuel Marsden pointed out the irony regarding the value of the replacements:
I say a B team, over €500 million worth of players there. More than Barças regular side would cost.
18. Deportivo La Coruna: 33, -33, 27
It took just four minutes for the leaders to go back in front, when Nelson Semedo teed up Paulinho, whose effort appeared to go in off team-mate Paco Alcacer.
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