Espanyol vs Barcelona match report: Neymar and Lionel Messi put the pressure on Real Madrid

Espanuol 0 Barcelona 2

Lionel Messi and Neymar (Getty Images)

Neymar scored the opener to continue his rich vein of form and Lionel Messi added a second a few minutes later as Barcelona won a one-sided derby against Espanyol despite the dismissal of Jordi Alba early in the second half.

The win increases Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to five points, with Real Madrid playing at Celta Vigo today.

Neymar followed up his two goals against Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday by slotting home after Luis Suarez dummied an Alba cross inside the area to open the scoring after 17 minutes.

With Barça picking holes in the Espanyol defence, Messi doubled the lead from a tight angle after 25 minutes.

Alba was shown two yellow cards in succession after 53 minutes for a lengthy protest with the referee.

But Espanyol failed to apply any concerted pressure on the Barça backline in the remainder of the match.

Xavi came on for the final three minutes for his 500th La Liga appearance for Barca and deep in stoppage time Espanyol’s Hector Moreno was also sent off after being given a second yellow card.

Rafinha played in midfield with Ivan Rakitic rested and he linked up well as Barça dominated possession.

Further chances fell to Barça in the second half, notably a shot by Messi that hit a post, and the result never appeared in doubt.

“It was a complete game from us,” Andres Iniesta said.

“The best part of the season is still to come and the hard bit as well. They are all finals from here on and there won’t be much between the teams.”

Line-ups:

Espanyol: Cortes; Arbilla, González Soberón, Moreno, Duarte; Vázquez Iglesias, Cañas, González Casanova (Sevilla López 61); Álvarez Delgado (Montañés Claverías 74’), García de la Fuente, Caicedo (Stuani, 70’).

Barcelona: Bravo; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba, Alcántara do Nascimento (Mathieu 65’), Busquets, Iniesta (Xavi 88), Messi; Suárez (Rakitic 80), Neymar.

Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz.

Man of the match: Neymar (Barcelona)