MADRID - Barcelona playmaker Xavi has described their uninspired performance in a 0-0 draw at rain-lashed Getafe at the weekend as a step backwards for the Catalan side.

"There is a long way to go still but it's a step backwards," Xavi told Spanish television.

"It was the kind of game we usually cope with but if we don't break the deadlock things get tricky.

"We have a lot of good goalscorers up front but today the ball didn't want to go in."

The stalemate left Barca four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who thrashed Almeria 4-1 before jetting off to the Club World Cup in Morocco.

The win extended Real's Spanish record winning streak to 20 matches in all competitions.

They have 39 points from 15 matches and will top the table over the two-week Christmas break for a 34th time.

Second-placed Barca, missing injured Brazil captain Neymar from their forward line, needed a win to trim the gap back to two points but struggled against some gritty Getafe defending.

Neymar's partner in attack, Lionel Messi, was unable to convert the few chances that came his way and add to his 13 La Liga goals this season.

Luis Suarez had another frustrating night and has still not opened his account in La Liga in seven appearances since his ban for biting an opponent at the World Cup expired at the end of October.

Valencia, in fifth, ended a run of two defeats and two draws when they beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 at the Mestalla despite having midfielder Andre Gomes sent off with around 20 minutes left when he earned a second booking.

Malaga climbed above Villarreal into sixth, when they beat eighth-placed Celta Vigo 1-0 at the Rosaleda.

Elsewhere, Espanyol overcame Granada 2-1.