Title-chasing Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at Sevilla in an empty stadium on Friday as they dropped points in La Liga for the first time since the season re-started after the hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Catalans are top of the standings on 65 points from 30 games but second-placed Real Madrid, with 62, can go above their rivals if they beat Real Sociedad away on Sunday due to their superior head-to-head record. Sevilla are third on 52.

Barca's Lionel Messi went into the match on 699 career goals but failed to get his 700th for club and country, coming closest with a first-half free kick which was headed off the line.

Sevilla's Spanish forward Sergio Reguilon had a glorious chance to snatch a winner in added time when the ball fell into his path from close range but he hit it into the ground and Barca keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen made a comfortable save for the reigning champions.

Barca striker Luis Suarez made his first start since returning from knee surgery in an attacking trio alongside Messi and Martin Braithwaite as Antoine Griezmann dropped to the bench and the Catalans freely moved the ball around in the first half.

Messi had two free-kick attempts while ex-Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic narrowly missed the target from inside the area.

There was tension just before halftime when Messi pushed Sevilla's Diego Carlos to the ground after he had fouled Suarez and while the Argentine escaped without a booking for the incident, after which Sergio Busquets was shown a yellow card.

Sevilla re-grouped after the break and had the better chances, with Lucas Ocampos smashing a shot against Ter Stegen, who also thwarted former Barca forward Munir El Haddadi.

Suarez had the visitors' best chance after the interval but failed to keep his stinging shot under the bar while Ter Stegen came up to contest a corner in added time, underlining Barca's desperation to win the game and boost their title chances.

Jose Mourinho pointed the finger of blame at VAR as his Tottenham Hotspur side were denied a Premier League victory against Manchester United by a late penalty on Friday.

Spurs were on course for three valuable points in the race for a Champions League qualification slot when Manchester United's David de Gea failed to keep out Steven Bergwijn's first-half strike.

But Bruno Fernandes' 81st-minute penalty after Paul Pogba was bundled over by Eric Dier made sure United went home with a 1-1 draw to stay fifth, four points above eighth-placed Spurs.

It could have been worse for Tottenham but another United penalty in stoppage time was rescinded by VAR after Fernandes went down under apparently no contact from Dier.

"I am not happy with the penalty and not happy with the second penalty," Mourinho said.

"I am unhappy with the VAR, not the referee on the first, the referee can make a mistake but VAR is there to do the job.

"In the second I am unhappy with (referee) Jon Moss because he did not give the free kick leading up to it and then gave another penalty. In this case the VAR gave the truth.

"We knew that we could have a penalty against because we know they have an incredible record of penalties given."

Mourinho also said VAR should have been used to book Fernandes for simulation after appearing to fall theatrically.

While the Portuguese coach was left frustrated against the club that sacked him last season, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Pogba who came off the bench in the second half for only his ninth appearance of the season.

The France midfielder has been sidelined by ankle injuries and had not appeared since January, but sparked United into life when he replaced Fred just past the hour mark.

"Paul did everything a midfielder should do, he tackled, won passes and showed some skills so fantastic to have him back," Solskjaer told reporters.

"He's had a frustrating season with his injuries. Paul has shown today how he can contribute and I just look forward to getting him fitter and seeing Paul getting back to his best."

Solskjaer paid tribute to United's fitness staff as his side ended the match strongly. Mourinho, however, said his players had grown tired towards the end of a fast-paced game.

"I liked my team performance for 70 minutes, I felt we were in control and I felt we gave them the kind of game that they don't like very much," he said.