FC Barcelona draws with Espanyol to slip further behind Madrid

FC Barcelona crossed the city on Sunday 8th Janury 2012 to play Espanyol at their stadium at Cornellà-El Prat in the twice-annual local Derby in the Spanish League. With Real Madrid having beaten Granada 5-1 on Saturday, all eyes were on the Barcelona after ending just three points behind their arch-rivals at the end of 2011.

Espanyol came close to scoring the first goal in the first ten minutes, only prevented by a great save from Victor Valdes; then the visitors went one goal ahead after quarter of an hour thanks to a goal from Cesc Fabregas. Dani Alves charged forward with the ball, crossed the ball to Cesc who reached with his head and put it beyond the fingers of Espanyol's keeper, Alvarez.

However, despite the early lead, Barcelona was unable to capitalise upon it. The half time break arrived with the match one goal in Barcelona's favour and when the teams came on afterwards they seemed evenly matched.

It wasn't until late in the match that Espanyol's time came after Rodriguez crossed to Thievy who headed the ball forward to Vazquez, who put the ball into the back of Barcelona's net to equalize.

Barcelona can be good at making last minute comebacks though and in injury time it looked like exactly that was going to happen. However, a clear handball from Rodriguez went unpunished by the referee and Barcelona's chance for a winning penalty evaporated.

After the match Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola was asked whether the league was effectively over for FC Barcelona this season. He dismissed the notion, replying that we are just about half way through the season and that anything can happen.

It was good to see Andres Iniesta back after a slight injury picked up before the Christmas break, although David Villa is recuperating after breaking his leg in Japan and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

This week we've got the return leg of the Copa del Rey last 16 against Osasuna, which will almost certainly earn Barcelona a place in the next round after their performance last week; and next weekend Betis visits the Nou Camp in the Spanish League.