Espanyol vs FC Barcelona : picture gallery and best moments
Barcelona thrashed local rivals Espanyol 5-0 to move to within one win of a 24th Primera Division title. Lionel Messi opened the scoring and gave the winners a brilliant start. Luis Suarez, Rafinha and Neymar also added to the visitors’ woes with similarly stunning skills and goals of their own. Beyond a doubt now Luis Enrique’s men look to assure the crown.
Espanyol vs FC Barcelona : picture gallery and best moments
Barcelona’s quest to retain La Liga remains now in their own hands. They will be confident going in to the last day of the season. They ensured that rivals Espanyol were dispatched 5-0 at Camp Nou.
Their fellow title challengers Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid kicked off simultaneously today. Evidently, a victory was imperative for Luis Enrique’s men. They were able to maintain their lead at the summit in this penultimate round.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a wonderful free-kick. Luis Suarez strengthened his own Pichichi skill with a double to put the game beyond doubt.
Substitute Rafinha Alcantara and Neymar wrapped up the win with strikes in the closing stages. Barca eased to a fourth straight victory, in which they have scored 21 goals without conceding one.
A good day for Barca got even sweeter as closest rivals Atletico Madrid suffered shock 2-1 defeat at relegated Levante. The had to crash out of the title race, although Real Madrid defeated Valencia 3-2. They remain just a point off the pace.
Real are now the only team who can challenge Barca, who go into the final weekend of the season knowing a victory at Granada will ensure the championship.
Luis Enrique’s men ensured there would be no repeat of the 2007 ‘Tamudazo’ derby. A draw in the penultimate match of the season permitted Real Madrid to win that year’s league under Fabio Capello.
Barca’s post-Clasico wobble is now well and really behind them.
