Barcelona took their advantage over their fiercest rivals into double figures by beating Getafe 2-1.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez's goals were enough for Barca, for whom the weekend could hardly have gone better.
Barcelona have won seven out of the last 10 La Liga titles and now own a five-point cushion. If they are to slip up in 2019, Atletico or Sevilla would seem the ones able to take advantage.
Barca rode their luck as Getafe missed several chances to snatch a draw. Instead, Messi's 399th La Liga goal and a sumptuous volley from Suarez did the job at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, despite Jaime Mata giving Getafe hope.