A stunning free-kick from record-setter Xavi Hernandez saw Barcelona return to their winning ways, dispatching undermanned Granada 1-0 in the Estadio Los Carmenes.

After last weekend’s draw to Sevilla, manager Pep Guardiola decided to shake things up, making five alterations to his lineup. Maxwell was given a rare opportunity to impress at left back, while Busquets and Fabregas returned to the center of the pitch, giving rest to Andres Iniesta. Up top, Pedro reaffirmed his partnership with Leo Messi, while 20-year-old winger Isaac Cuenca made his La Liga debut for Barcelona.

Despite outshooting Granada 17-2 and holding 75% possession, Barcelona were forced to grind through the match, unable to put the game away before the final whistle.

Granada’s emerged in an ultra-defensive 4-5-1 formation, attempting to replicate Sevilla’s recipe for success by congesting the final third, wildly throwing bodies in defense. The attack was put on the backburners for this one.

It was an ugly, defensive game, juxtaposed by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range surrounding the stadium. We should all hope Granada avoid the drop this year, with Los Carmenes providing one of the most picturesque venues in all of La Liga.

Messi came close to opening the count in the 12th minute, side-stepping his marker with a quick dribble, only to send his effort flashing inches wide of the far post.

It was the beginning of an onslaught, as Cuenca got involved moments later, cutting into the box and sending a shot whistling just past the post.

Xavi would force a fine save from Roberto in the 19th minute, as his driven shot from outside the box was parried away before Pedro wasted Barca’s best chance in the 21st minute, elevating high and heading Dani Alves’s cross inches wide of the far post.

Abidal nearly had his second career goal for Barcelona just minutes later, collecting a clever pass from Messi on the left and sending a thunderbolt strike on goal, only for Roberto to deflect it away at the near post.

In the end, it was record setter Xavi Hernandez who would play the hero, breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a sublime free-kick from 20 yards out. On the evening he became Barcelona’s all time appearance leader in La Liga, breaking Migueli’s 23-year record with 392 games in la primera, he would also score the game’s only goal, giving him four on the season.

Granada were down to ten early in the second half when Jaime Romero was given his marching orders for an ill-advised challenge on Maxwell. An unnecessary high boot to the face of the Brazilian resulted in a second yellow and undermined any chance of a comeback for the home side.

Moments earlier, Pedro had suffered an apparently serious injury, buckling and rolling over his own ankle. He was helped off the pitch, giving way to Spain international David Villa. Early diagnostics confirm the injury to be less serious than initially feared, with a two to three week layoff expected, as he recovers from a peroneal left ankle sprain.

Messi nearly made it two in the 56th minute, finding himself in space and successfully chipping the keeper, only to be denied at the last second, as a defender raced back to hook-clear the ball away as it was crossing the line.

Cuenca missed a fantastic opportunity to kill the game in the 70th minute, but was unable to beat Roberto, firing directly at the keeper after being put through for a one vs. one.

Granada nearly leveled in the 76th minute after Alexandre Geijo was left one vs. one with Victor Valdes, but the linesman’s flag was raised for an incorrect offsides decision against the home side. Victor Valdes would save the shot to spare the linesman’s blushes.

Granada gave it all in defense, but lacked the composure to pull out the result, guilty of the novice mistakes that plague recently promoted sides. Daniel Benitez was shown a second yellow in the 92nd minute for petulantly kicking away a dead ball after being whistled for offsides by the linesman. Granada would end the match with nine men and consolidate their status as favorites for the drop at season’s end.

The win sees Barcelona claim top spot in the provisional standings, with Levante and Real Madrid set to play Wednesday.

Victor Valdes has now recorded seven straight clean sheets, extending his personal record to 697 minutes without conceding a goal, while tallying a grand total of zero saves against Granada.

Pretty soon they’ll start charging him admission as just another spectator.

Article written by Barcaloco contributor Anson Woodring.  Follow Anson on Twitter at @ansonwoodring.

Full match highlights:

Granada – Barcelona 0-1 Highlights HD 25.10.2011 by iNfRaS0NiC