Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde: 'Title race is not over yet'

Ernesto Valverde has insisted that there is still work to be done before his Barcelona side can start thinking about La Liga title success.

The Catalan giants took a giant step towards snatching the crown back from Real Madrid by beating the champions 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon.

Victory for Barca moves them nine points clear of closest challengers Atletico Madrid and 14 ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid, who have one game in hand still to play.

Barca boss Valverde claims that it would be wrong to write off the chasing pack just yet, though, as there is still a long way to go.

Speaking before Valencia dropped three points at home to Villarreal, Valverde told reporters: "The first half of the season is not yet over. We have a gap over our rivals but we do not think about that, just to keep picking up points and moving forward.

"We were able to get past their first line of pressure [in the second half]. It was more difficult in the first half. This is a game in which details, certain moments, can be decisive."

Barcelona return to action on January 4 with a Copa del Rey clash against Celta Vigo at Balaidos.