Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the La Liga table to nine points with a 3-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday.
Dani Olmo netted twice in an electric first-half display which also saw Raphinha chip home a goal of his own, wrapping up the three points inside the first 30 minutes.
However, Espanyol undoubtedly had the better of the second half. The visitors deservedly pulled one back and saw a handful of goals ruled out for offside, ensuring nobody left the game with any real sense of satisfaction.
How the game unfolded
Olmo had two early chances to break the deadlock. The summer signing first headed over after a cross from Hector Fort, before sending a tame long-range effort rolling into the gloves of Joan Garcia.
Espanyol did not learn from their early errors, however, as Olmo crashed home 12 minutes in. A sensational pass from Lamine Yamal was steered beyond Garcia via a touch off the woodwork, giving Barcelona a deserved lead.
The second came ten minutes later and, unsurprisingly, it was the in-form Raphinha who wheeled away in celebration. His excellent run into the box was found by Marc Casado and the Brazilian’s first-time chip over the onrushing Garcia was executed perfectly.
Against the run of play, Espanyol thought they had grabbed one back shortly after, but a VAR check cancelled out Jofre Carreras’ tap-in for offside, and the visitors’ tough day got even worse when Olmo thundered home from the edge of the penalty area on the half-hour mark to further extend Barcelona’s lead heading into the break.
Things were a little scrappier in the early stages of the second half, when Espanyol saw another goal ruled out for offside after VAR intervention.
Espanyol finally managed to beat the offside trap 63 minutes in when Javier Puado tapped in at the back post – a goal which had definitely been coming as Barcelona took their collective foot off the gas.
Yamal tried his luck from range as the La Liga leaders looked to regain control of proceedings, but his curling effort never looked like causing any real problems for Garcia.
Hansi Flick’s side struggled to get back into their groove, leading to a number of frustrated whistles from home supporters. Espanyol saw another goal ruled out, although there was no controversy about this one as the ball had clearly gone out of play in the build-up.
In truth, this was a fixture Barcelona never looked like losing, and the hosts even saw a late goal of their own ruled out for offside, but Flick will undoubtedly be keen to remind his players of the perils of letting their levels drop even when things appear to be going well.
GK: Inaki Pena – 6/10 – A bystander before needing to make a smart save on the hour mark.
RB: Hector Fort – 7/10 – Didn’t have much defending to do and so focused his efforts on dovetailing with Yamal in attack. Seemed to lose focus defensively after the break.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 7/10 – His understanding of the offside trap continues to impress but the constant risks eventually led to an Espanyol goal.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 7/10 – Like with Cubarsi, the veteran flashed his experience to lead Barcelona’s high line and keep Espanyol frustrated.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – Didn’t get everything right going forwards but fortunately didn’t have to as he was gifted chance after chance to make an impact. Grabbed the assist for the third goal.
DM: Marc Casado – 9/10 – Absolutely pulled the strings here, including a stunning pass for Raphinha’s goal. Such a dominant performance.
DM: Pedri – 7/10 – Kept things ticking without ever having to do anything particularly special. Just another composed performance.
RM: Lamine Yamal – 8/10 – What a sensational assist for Olmo’s opener. Tormented Espanyol’s defence with both his dribbling and his passing.
AM: Dani Olmo – 9/10 – The focal point of every Barcelona attack. The ball seemed to gravitate towards him and that led to two first-half goals.
LM: Raphinha – 7/10 – Not at his world-beating best but was once again just too good for his opponents. A delightful finish to double Barcelona’s early lead.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 6/10 – Most of Barcelona’s best work came behind him, but the Poland international’s energy and movement helped contribute to an electric team display. Some excellent defensive work.
Substitutes
SUB: Fermin Lopez (56′ for Olmo) – 5/10
SUB: Frenkie de Jong (56′ for Casado) – 5/10
SUB: Jules Kounde (78′ for Fort) – 6/10
SUB: Ansu Fati (85′ for Raphinha) – N/A
SUB: Gavi (85′ for Pedri) – N/A
Subs not used: Wojciech Szczesny (GK), Ander Astralaga (GK), Pablo Torre, Pau Victor, Gerard Martin, Sergi Dominguez.
Manager
Hansi Flick – 7/10 – Made some bold tactical changes which undoubtedly yielded rewards, but the boss will not be happy with the manner in which his side eased up in the second half.
