Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said his team "did what they had to do" in Sunday lunchtime's 2-0 La Liga win at Levante.
Barca were far from their fluid best against the division's bottom side, but took the three points thanks to a first half own-goal from home defender David Navarro and an injury-time clincher from Luis Suarez.
Levante had their moments in the game with young right-winger Jose Luis Morales hitting a post during the first half, and Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi also regularly troubling the visitors' defence.
The Blaugrana coach told his postgame news conference at the Ciutat de Levante stadium that his team had not had things their own way at times, but the result was fair over the 90 minutes.
"I have the feeling that we did what we had to do to take the game," Luis Enrique said. "It is true that Levante could have gone in at half-time level on the scoreboard, or maybe even ahead, but I believe the result is fair."
The victory lifts Barca back three points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who have played a game more, and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have played the same number of games as the leaders, and are at Real Betis on Sunday evening.
Luis Enrique was asked if his team were suffering a dip in form, following a tough run of 12 games in five weeks in all competitions.
"If you believe it is difficult for us, what about the others?" he said. "I have a marvellous feeling at the moment. These games can be difficult but I believe we gave a very complete performance."
This was former Barca player Luis Enrique's 100th game in charge of the Camp Nou team, and his record now reads 80 wins, 11 draws and nine defeats, with Barca scoring 282 goals and conceding 72.
Barca are also now unbeaten in 28 games, matching the club record set under former coach Pep Guardiola in 2010-11.
However, Luis Enrique said that neither this record -- nor him reaching 100 games -- mattered nearly as much as winning titles.
"When the season ends I will tell you if it was useful for anything," the Asturian coach added. "It is better to reach 100 than 50, but such statistics don't tell me anything. I am interested in collective objective, winning leagues."