Barcelona vs. Espanyol: Score, Grades and Reaction from Catalan Derby

Ian RodgersDec 7, 2014

Barcelona 5-1 Espanyol

Lionel Messi claimed another hat-trick to break through the 400-goal barrier for his club and help Barcelona come from behind to defeat Espanyol at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Sergio Garcia had dampened the Camp Nou crowd's spirits with his 13th-minute goal for the visitors after Sergio Busquets had been caught in possession.

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But with the home side looking for inspiration in a disappointing first half, Messi struck his 400th goal for the club with a beautiful curling shot on the stroke of half-time.

The Argentina international then added a second of the day five minutes after the interval after good play by Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was on the scoresheet three minutes later, making amends for his role in Espanyol's opening goal.

Substitute Pedro came on for Luis Suarez midway through the second period, and grabbed the fourth for Barcelona.

Another Messi treble had seemed inevitable, and it duly arrived in the 81st minute after great interplay with Pedro.

After making his return from injury in the midweek Copa del Rey win over Huesca, Andres Iniesta began on the bench for Barcelona, but there were no surprises in Luis Enrique's selection.

Xavi was given the captain's armband, while Ivan Rakitic replaced Jeremy Mathieu from the team which won at Valencia last weekend.

Rakitic was involved in the first chance of the game when his cross from the right needed a swift clearance from the Espanyol defence as it arrowed toward Luis Suarez at the far post.

At the other end, Jordi Alba also needed to be quick to intercept a Garcia low cross into the Barcelona area.

Xavi was looking for a penalty in the 10th minute when he went to ground under the challenge of Alvaro from a Messi through ball, but the referee waved play on.

Three minutes later, the visitors took the lead to silence the Camp Nou. Busquets dithered on the ball, and was dispossessed by Felipe Caicedo, who freed Garcia. The former Barcelona man moved to the edge of the area before finding the corner of Claudio Bravo's net.

"
Video: Goal Sergio Garcia (0-1) https://t.co/l3e6AXzhbx [via @cbzarreta]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 7, 2014"

It took until the 21st minute before the home side registered a shot, with Xavi's effort flying over the crossbar.

This was a disjointed Barcelona display in the first quarter of the game, with only Neymar offering any threat to the reinforced Espanyol back line.

In the 30th minute, Messi finally gave the home fans something to get excited over when his free-kick crashed back off the crossbar.

"
Sergio Garcia is the first Espanyol player to score in Camp Nou since Ivan de la Peña in February 2009 #fcblive [via mrchip]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 7, 2014"

Suarez was just wide of the post with a 36th-minute strike after Xavi had laid the ball back to the Uruguayan from Rakitic's low cross.

A clipped Messi ball into the left-hand channel saw Alba chase, but Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla blocked well.

Barcelona were almost caught out by an Espanyol counter-attack three minutes before the interval, but Bravo came off his line to challenge Victor Sanchez, whose heavy first touch had given the goalkeeper a chance to save.

On the stroke of half-time, Messi produced the spark to equalise. After good interplay with Suarez, Xavi played a short ball to the Argentina international on the edge of the box. He took one touch to open up some space before sending a curling shot beyond Casilla.

"
Leo Messi free kick so close!—per @messi10stats he’s hit woodwork 8 times this season [Vine: @camdejueoficial] http://t.co/mab6mtbPkg
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 7, 2014"

After Messi had been denied a penalty early in the second half, the Barcelona star added a second in the 50th minute.

Neymar broke from within his own half before finding Suarez on the left flank. The former Liverpool man chipped the ball to Messi, who saw off one challenge before firing past Casilla.

Three minutes later, the points were sealed for Barcelona when Pique escaped the attentions of Eric Bailly to head home a corner.

This was a very different Barcelona from the first-half version, and two goals inside the first eight minutes of the second period were the result of a far-sharper team.

Luis Enrique made two quick changes midway through the second half with Rakitic and Suarez coming off for Iniesta and Pedro respectively.

In the 77th minute, substitute Pedro added a fourth goal when he collected a fine Xavi cross-field pass before firing past Casilla.

Four minutes later, Messi completed an inevitable hat-trick when he completed a great one-two with Pedro before placing the ball beyond Casilla.

Espanyol's will had simply wilted under the weight of Messi's imperious display, and the game played out to its conclusion with little further threat on either goal.

But Barcelona and their magician had done what was necessary to close the gap behind Real Madrid to two points in La Liga.

Selected Player Ratings

Lionel Messi: A+

Came to the rescue just when needed on the stroke of half-time after a disappointing opening 45 minutes for Barcelona. Another hat-trick served only to underline his wonderful display.

Caicedo: A

Involved in the opener for Espanyol with a smart piece of play to steal possession from Busquets. Always looking for an opportunity.

Gerard Pique: B+

Should have closed down Sergio Garcia more quickly for Espanyol's opener, and struggling to find the consistency he had alongside Carles Puyol. Improved in the second half, though, and added a goal of his own.