Osasuna 0-0 Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas

Barcelona dropped points for the first time this season as they were held to a goalless draw by lowly Osasuna.

The champions saw their 13-match winning run in the league come to a frustrating end in Pamplona as they failed to score in La Liga for the first time since January 2012.

Andres Iniesta and Marc Bartra passed up chances in a scrappy opening period.

Cesc Fabregas drove over with the best opportunity of the second half as Osasuna held on for a draw.

It was the first time in 65 games stretching back to the goalless draw at Villarreal 18 months ago that Barcelona have been shut out in La Liga.

With captain Carles Puyol back after seven months out with a knee injury, Iniesta failed to test Andres Fernandez with a drive and Bartra headed over from a corner.

After the interval, Fabregas was picked out by an incisive pass from Neymar but his shot was easily gathered by Fernandez and the former Arsenal man also thumped over after he was played through by Xavi.

Even the introduction of Lionel Messi, who has been out since 28 September with a thigh injury, as a substitute midway through the second half failed to inspire a breakthrough.

However, the point was enough to move Barcelona clear at the top of the table as Atletico Madrid's winning start to the season was also ended in a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois's own goal 10 minutes after the break handed Espanyol the points to leave Atletico a point adrift of Barca in second place.