Barcelona narrowly defeated Girona with Pedri’s strike who came off the bench to score the game’s only goal to give them a six-point advantage in La Liga.
After Fulham loanee Paulo Gazzaniga mishandled Jordi Alba’s cross, the 20-year-old, who was participating in his 100th game for Barcelona in all competitions, tapped home from four yards.
The win extends Barcelona’s unbeaten run to nine league games.
They have 47 points with Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, on 41 points.
Real Madrid hosts Real Sociedad on Sunday at 20:00 GMT.
Girona, who had just two shots on goal toward the end of regulation, is currently in 12th place, four points above the relegation zone.
In the last seconds of the second half, they had manager Michel dismissed after protesting a foul against Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona lacked strength in the forward areas as a result of the suspensions of Spain’s Ferran Torres and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski.
France winger Ousmane Dembele also went off in the first half, with what looked like a thigh injury.
Xavi’s side are unbeaten in La Liga since losing 3-1 to Real Madrid on 16 October – winning eight and drawing once – and are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions.
They are looking to win La Liga for the first time since 2018-19.
