Pedro cracker earns the points (1-0)

Pedro cracker earns the points (1-0)

FC Barcelona saw off a stubborn Almeria at the Nou Camp tonight thanks to a cracking goal from Pedro on the half hour. The win means Guardiola's team have equalled the best ever start to a season with six wins out of six.
Hugo Sánchez had made it clear in his pre-match press conference that he'd be trying hard to emulate Espanyol's performance last year that saw them win 1-2 based on breaking down the rhythm of the game through fouls and delaying tactics, whilst hitting the hosts on the break. The tactics seemed to be working for the first half an hour with only a Xavi shot against the woodwork on 17 minutes troubling the visitors, before Pedro popped up with a wonder goal that proved enough to give Barca the points. It was a hard won game, particularly in the second half, but Barca defended well and ended the game clear at the top of the table, with 18 points from their first six games.

Márquez takes on Xavi's role

The problems were clear for Barca from the start as Chico man marked Xavi out of large parts of the game to restrict the midfielder' s distribution, so the quick thinking Guardiola instructed Marquez to move into Xavi's position with the Catalan pushing out right to create space in the middle.

Post, post ….and goal

Iniesta was also being closely marked by Ortiz and finding it hard to make chances for the front men, but the opportunities did begin to come and on 19 minutes after some great work from Ibrahimovic , Xavi first, and then Pedro saw their efforts hit the woodwork. The fans were beginning to worry, particularly as the ref seemed unwilling to stamp on Almeria's repeated negative fouling. Barca tried to stay patient and play their game, but it needed a flash of individual brilliance from Pedro to put them ahead. Receiving the ball in the box, he turned and fired home a brilliant right footed shot past the helpless keeper. Almería come more into the game The game didn't change much after the break, with Almeria breaking Barca's passing game and awaiting their chance of a counter. With Xavi pushed out right, Barca lacked fluency in their play and as the game continued, Almeria came more into the game and tried to pick out some space in the Barca defence.

Keita and Toure on Guardiola isn't one to let things drift though and he threw on Keita and Toure to beef things up. The two Africans brought some much needed order into midfield and helped ensure Barca won their sixth game on the run at the start of the season to equal the record set in the 1929/30, 1990/91 and1997/98, seasons.