The derby of errors
A brilliant second half from Barcelona saw them brush Espanyol aside to return to the top of La Liga table, albeit thanks to grave defensive mistakes from the hosts.
The Barcelona derby came at a perfect time for Espanyol to try and cause an upset for their city rival's title hopes. Real Madrid's win against Valencia allowed them to go three points clear at the top of the table, forcing Luis Enrique's team to win at Cornellá el-Prat to go level with Madrid.
A brave and intense Espanyol began the game holding a high line and, with nothing but pride at steak for the hosts, they had the opportunity to take the lead early on. Caicedo split the defence wide open, and Jurado burst into the box to scuff his shot wide of Ter Stegen.
Barcelona took a step forward, with Neymar and Messi coming into play, while Espanyol began to fall deeper into their own half. Chances were few and far apart for both sides, as Barcelona dominated possession but struggled to break down the hard-working Espanyol defence.
Espanyol managed to hold Enrique's side to a frustrating goalless draw as they headed for the break, after neither side managed to record a single shot on goal in the entire forty-five minutes.
All of Espanyol's efforts in defence were thrown down the drain in the early minutes of the second half, with Jurado making a terrible mistake. The former Real Madrid man, who had missed the best chance of the match in the first half, played a horrendous back pass which was aimed at nobody. Luis Suarez was set clear on goal and the Uruguayan did not hesitate to slot the ball past Lopez with the outside of his right boot.
Espanyol managed to respond well and open up the match to award chances to both sides. Though Barcelona could have benefitted from a slower pace, Enrique's side surged forward in search of a second.
Messi surged forward in what is rapidly becoming a trademark run down the middle, which completely opened up the Espanyol defence and, as it looked like the little magician was about to shoot, he found Rakitic out wide for the Croatian to calmly pass the ball into the net.
It was game over for the hosts after that, with the away team pressing for another goal. And it was harsh for Espanyol as yet another defensive blunder allowed Suarez to pick up the pieces inside the area, go around Lopez and blast home his double.
The first half was sluggish from Enrique's team, but in the final thirty minutes they were superb and they deserved to win. The Catalans return to the top as it looks neither side is going to let go in their bid to lift La Liga trophy.