Lionel Messi penalty gives Barcelona derby win as La Liga title charge gathers pace

Alexis Sanchez, who entered soda , had two chances to kill off the end but managed to overcome a Javi Lopez pulled a hand much merit in the attempt to move the Chilean . Both Espanyol and Barça had several activities goal, but the folly that led to Messi 's penalty goal in the 76th minute , Barca paint of this derby did not disappoint , being matched and intense , controversial and offensive, until the expulsion of Box .

The first part was already less goals , all you can ask a Barcelona derby. Espanyol came as told , very intense and biting Barca players in every action , and with Sergio Garcia capitalized as in creating the Blaugrana did Leo Messi, hogging the game in the midfield , but the actions of goal were more to Pizzi and Neymar .

Both the Portuguese for the Brazilian to Espanyol and Barcelona had their boots on the deadlock but they were both unlucky . While Pizzi sent clouds of a covered sky in Cornella a ball that settled great with chest Neymar missed a great center of Alves and closely with Casilla, who as Pinto had little work to the failings of the front .

Still, the pace of play was good, fast , with Espanyol trying to get the ball to Barca and contesting every action , while Barca failed to read the game well and found the key to take off his usual game. Espanyol has earned the label of cumbersome equipment and this afternoon it was more than ever, but forgave too high.

Indeed , Aguirre decided after the break for a change Pizzi also lost prominence and inputting Alex Fernandez , who stood in the playmaker and left as a man ahead of Sergio García more . It took longer to move the record ' Tata ' Martino , in fact refused to admit Iniesta, cheered again for your gesture and friendship with the late Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, until after Messi goal .

And the Argentine , with his goal from the penalty spot , started a new party. Espanyol, who did not give up anything, welcomed the commitment of the Mexican coach by inputting Córdoba detriment of a combative and unproductive Simao . The club also entered Alexis , ready to run on offense and try to exploit the rise espanyolista lines.

EXPULSION OF BOX , Javi Lopez PORTER .

However, what ended up changing the derby , to break , the expulsion was a direct red goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, with three changes made ​​. The keeper got hand outside the box a good Messi and was ejected , which prompted the right-back Javi Lopez put the sticks . Messi took the ball , straight out , with a very annoying espanyolista bounds with Clos Gomez.

Barca had the ball until the final whistle , aware that these three points placed him interim leader and put pressure on Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Also, Espanyol was physically dead and closed behind , unable to keep the pressure had displayed in the first part . Barca , by contrast, was not in a rush to attack well but Javi Lopez rejected a shot Alexis ' the package ' .