Barcelona cling to top spot with win over Espanyol

Barcelona once again drew level with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as Luis Suarez scored twice in a 3-0 win over city rivals Espanyol.

The scoreline somewhat flattered Luis Enrique’s side who found themselves in a real match for the majority of the 90 minutes only for defensive errors from the hosts to swing the contest in the favour of the away team.

Suarez opened the scoring five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a dreadful backpass to round Diego Lopez and finish into the empty net. Ivan Rakitic then doubled Barca’s advantage with a cool finish following a Lionel Messi run and dribble to the edge of the box.

And Suarez completed the scoring later on, making the most of yet another defensive mistake to make it 3-0. This result underlined that with just a handful of games left this season the title race in Spain is going right down to the wire.

(Luis Suarez’s return to scoring form couldn’t have come at a better time) .The Uruguayan striker had gone five games without a goal before the derby at Cornella, but ended his worst run of the season with a double against Espanyol. With Suarez back in goalscoring form Barcelona have an additional dimension in their efforts to pull in Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. With Suarez back to his best Barcelona might just be title favourites.

Not so long ago the Croatian midfielder’s Barcelona future was in question. Rakitic was supposedly on his way out of Camp Nou, but he has hit a vein of form, scoring for the second time in just three games. Barcelona’s upturn in league form is down to a number of different factors, one of which is Rakitic’s improved form.

Espanyol - Lopez 6, Sanchez 5, Gerard 6, Caicedo 6, Aaron 4, Jurado 6, Lopez 5, Lopez 6, Fuego 6, Piatti 5, Reyes 5. Subs - Perez 5, Leo 5, Roca 5.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 6, Pique 8, Umtiti 6, Alba 6, Rakitic 8, Busquets 8, Gomes 6, Messi 7, Suarez 8, Neymar 6. Subs - Mascherano 5

6’ ESPANYOL SHOULD BE AHEAD! That should have been the opener for the hosts. Caicedo slotted through Jurado, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post. What a chance!

50’ GOAL! Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona: Barcelona have taken the lead at the start of the second! Suarez made the most of a terrible backpass by Jurado, finishing with confidence to put the away side 1-0 up. That could be a massive goal!

76’ GOAL! Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: That goal should kill this game as a contest! Messi picks up the ball deep and drives forward before feeding Rakitic, who rolled the ball into the corner of the net, fooling Lopez.

87’ GOAL! Espanyol 0-3 Barcelona: It's another mistake and it's another Barcelona goal! Suarez pounced when Martin made a mess of his clearance and finished past Lopez to put his team three goals up. The points are most certainly in the bag now.

Luis Suarez has scored more opening goals than any other player in La Liga this season (nine).

Espanyol have not won any of their last 16 Liga derbies against Barcelona, their worst ever run against any single team.