Ruben Israel's Barceloa side hosted LDU Quito on Sunday and went ahead inside three minutes thanks to the prolific Matias Oyola, who tucked home a Mario Martinez free-kick to take his tally to five goals from as many games.
LDU nearly hit back through Holger Matamoros, with the Ecuadorian striker seeing his volley cooly cleared off the line by Jose Luis Perlaza.
Michael Quinonez was inches away from doubling Barcelona's advantage when he tried his luck from nearly 40 yards but his fizzing shot crashed against the crossbar.
In the end Oyola's goal was enough to hand Barcelona all three points, ensuring they moved ahead of Mushuc on goals scored after they suffered a surprising 1-0 loss away to El Nacional.
A brilliant Junior Sornoza got the ball rolling on 10 minutes with Daniel Arroyo doubling the home side's advantage just two minutes later after he finished an incisive passage of play.
Manta and Universidad Catolica could not be separated after 90 minutes as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw after an early goal from Universidad's Mariano Uglessich was cancelled out by Miler Castillo.
