Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagged a brace to tighten Barcelona’s grip on second spot thanks to a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo. A clinical showing saw the winter recruit take his La Liga tally to 11 goals, while avenging a 2-1 defeat in last season’s corresponding clash.Aubameyang’s tally is also two more than Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema has managed since the Gabon international made his Blaugrana debut in February. However, it was Celta’s Iago Aspas who fired the warning shots early on by routinely running in behind, but his first clear chance came courtesy of a ragged Ronald Araújo back-pass. Bearing down on goal, the veteran striker paid the price for hesitating on his weaker right foot, as Araújo scrambled to make a last-ditch tackle.Those at the Camp Nou showed signs of frustration as Xavi’s attack struggled to gel, but a moment of wizardry from Ousmane Dembélé provided the match with a much-needed shot in the arm. Nutmegging one opponent and skipping past another, the Frenchman directed a low cross towards Memphis Depay, whose finish eluded Matías Dituro. Celta rallied with Thiago Galhardo, who forced Marc-André ter Stegen into a superb low save, but Barca’s potent moments made the difference, as Depay set up Aubameyang to ruthlessly convert their second shot of the match into a two-goal buffer.The usual suspects were again amongst the action after the break, as Celta committed the fatal mistake of standing off a rampant Dembélé, who calmly fed Aubameyang to sweep home. The Blaugrana were made to sweat for a few minutes though, when a mix-up between Araújo and Ter Stegen handed Aspas the chance to claw one back, but Jeison Murillo was sent off midway through the second half, for denying Depay a goal-scoring opportunity.Murillo’s dismissal effectively killed off the contest, and dealt a further dose of reality to Celta, after they had notched their biggest league win in almost two years last time out. As for Barcelona, their Champions League qualification is already rubber-stamped for next season, but Xavi took a big step towards sealing second spot, with just two points now needed from two matches to see out the campaign.Worrying news for the Catalans comes in the form of Araujo’s head injury. In the 62nd minute, the Uruguayan suffered a head-to-head collision with his teammate Gavi after which the medical crew had to intervene and drive the defender off the pitchLA LIGA – ROUND 36TuesdayValencia – Betis 0-3 (0-0)/Willian Jose 57, Canales 87, Iglesias 90/Granada – Ath.Bilbao 1-0 (1-0)/Collado 35/Barcelona – Celta 3-1 (2-0)/Depay 30, Aubameyang 41, 48 – Aspas 50/Wednesday20:00: (2.15) Alaves (3.30) Espanyol (3.50)20:00: (2.45) Osasuna (3.00) Getafe (3.50)21:30: (1.70) Sevilla (3.70) Mallorca (5.90)22:30: (6.00) Elche (3.70) Atl.Madrid (1.68)Thursday20:00: (1.67) Sociedad (3.70) Cadiz (6.25)21:00: (5.10) Rayo Vallecano (3.60) Villareal (1.80)22:30: (1.55) Real Madrid (4.40) Levante (6.50)***odds are subject to change
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