Robert Lewandowski's second-half strike secured a 1-0 win for Barcelona against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, as the third-placed hosts reduced the gap on LaLiga leaders Real Madrid to four points.

Lewandowski broke the deadlock after a tense first half when Lamine Yamal's cross took a deflection off Nahuel Tenaglia and fell to the Polish striker who shot home from close range in the 61st minute.

A clash of heads had forced Gavi and Tomas Conechny off the field early on as the match got off to a slow start, with Lewandowski shooting wide from Raphinha's deflected cross near the half-hour mark.

Alaves suffered their second league defeat since coach Eduardo Coudet took charge in December and remained 18th in the table, two points below safety. Barcelona improved to 45 after 22 matches.