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Three more points for the runaway leaders! Barça Atlètic have won again at home, beating Utebo 2-1 to strengthen their grip on top spot following a draw for Osasuna's reserves. A debut goal from Hamza Abdelkarim and another from the recently renewed Pedro Rodríguez kept Belletti's side on their winning run.
Unlike their previous home game, when the breakthrough came in the closing minutes, Barça Atlètic wasted no time this time around. Jesse Bisiwu's trickery earned a clear penalty, which Hamza Abdelkarim converted on his debut for the reserves.
Having made the breakthrough, Barça had few opportunities to extend their lead before half-time. Utebo gradually began to threaten, but solid defending and some wayward finishing meant Iker Rodríguez was rarely troubled.
Despite leading at the break, Belletti's side knew the points were far from secure. Bisiwu continued to cause problems, although it was the visitors who had the first real chance of the second half, Barrero forcing Iker Rodríguez into his first important save.
Barça responded with a fierce effort from Catovic on the edge of the area, brilliantly saved by Nono. A relatively uneventful spell followed, until Pedro Rodríguez seized on a defensive mistake and fired home from the edge of the box to double the advantage.
That looked to have settled matters, but there was a late twist. Lyubomirov capitalised on a slip inside the area to pull one back on ninety minutes, becoming the first opposition player to score at the Estadi Johan Cruyff this season. Barça Atlètic held firm through four minutes of added time to secure the win.
That's now 19 points from a possible 21, with a perfect home record intact. Next up is a visit to fellow high-flyers UE Olot (25 October, 5.30pm) CEST. The Garrotxa side's draw away to second-placed Osasuna B means Barça Atlètic now have a five-point lead at the top.
Barça Atlètic: 2
Utebo: 1
Barça Atlètic: Iker Rodríguez; Guillem Víctor, Hafiz, Campos, Landry; Catovic, Argemí, Orian (Pedro Rodríguez 64'); Aziz (Joni Hernández 72'), Abdelkarim (Quer 72'), Bisiwu (Kluivert 64').
Utebo: Nono; David Santiago, Jorge Mariano, Meseguer (Tudela 80'), Adán; Marín, Canillo (Gbizie 75'), Diego Suárez; Aparicio (Viñuela 64'), De Camargo (Lyubomirov 75'), Barrero (Casti 64').
Goals: 1-0, Hamza Abdelkarim (min. 6); 2-0, Pedro Rodríguez (min. 72); 2-1, Lyubomirov (min. 90)
Referee: Alejandro Martínez Ibáñez.