Although the final result at the Nou Camp was only 2-0, Barca could easily have been celebrating a landslide triumph after creating chance upon chance against the team they will meet in the Copa del Rey final in May.

That win not only allowed Barca to get back on track following a testing few weeks that had seen them lose to Espanyol and Atletico Madrid, plus draw against Real Betis, Real Mallorca and Champions League opponents Lyon, but also enabled them to stretch their lead over Real Madrid to six points.

"In Mallorca we were not great but we returned to do the things which have helped us play the way we did here. The team have returned to play at a good level. This will strengthen us," said Guardiola.

"I`m happy for the fans, who have gone home happy. To play well and win like this allows the fans to have more faith in the team. We have to continue like this."

The Barca chief refused to get too carried away with the win though, especially bearing in mind how Madrid had cut his side`s lead from 12 points to just four in the space of three games recently.

"There are 12 games left to play, and Madrid are strong," he said.

Barca defender Gerard Pique added: "We`ve recovered points and Madrid have drawn so the feelings are very positive, even though the result was closer then it should have been. We could have won 6-0 or 7-0.

"To recover two points and be six above Madrid was very important, despite the fact we were always calm."