Xavi delighted with 'well-deserved win'

Xavi Hernández was naturally delighted with three points from the midweek trip to the Canary Islands, saying afterwards that "we still have every chance of being in contention for the Liga title. We're the defending champions. We very much still alive and ready to fight for it."

"We're finding every game hard to win and they tend to be decided by the tiniest of details."

Fine performance

"I was very happy with the intensity tonight, with the pace and with the attitude. We found it hard to get going in the first half and weren't quite sharp enough, especially with the final pass, but we were a lot better in the second half. We were pressing very nicely, winning back balls, and attacking space the right way."

"The changes I made in the second half had the right effect. We were much sharper in the final third. Then Ferran's goal gave us the boost we needed and you could see that the team was ready to go on and win the game."

Crucial comeback

"It was an uphill struggle for much of the night. Nobody has managed to beat Las Palmas this season after conceding first, but we managed to do it. There's merit in that, and it was especially thanks to our brilliant second half."

No worries with Cancelo

As for João Cancelo, who had to withdraw early with what looked like a knee injury, Xavi was pleased to say that "in principle it's nothing serious." However, the Portuguese defender will need to undergo tests before an official medical announcement can be made.