Barcelona vs. Espanyol: Winners and Losers from Catalan Derby
Barcelona claimed local bragging rights on Sunday as they defeated Espanyol 5-1 at the Camp Nou.
The home side started slowly and conceded to Sergio Garcia on the counter-attack just 13 minutes in, but Lionel Messi bailed them out before half-time with a beautiful goal.
The Argentine then took over in the second half and scored two more, leaving the scraps to Pedro and Gerard Pique as it turned into a thoroughly one-sided affair.
Here, Bleacher Report picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Lionel Messi, Who Scored His 29th Career Hat-Trick
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Espanyol had absolutely no chance against Lionel Messi today, who found his stride just before half-time and continued to torment them up to the final whistle.
He scored his 29th career hat-trick, per MessiStats, on the way to destroying Espanyol's once-enthusiastic back line.
Espanyol head coach Sergio Gonzalez is under no illusion about the Argentina international's place in world football, and was quoted after the game by Sport as saying: "Messi will go down as the best in history."
Loser: Luis Suarez, Who Is Still Without a Goal in La Liga
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Luis Suarez is still adjusting to life at Barcelona but is now six La Liga appearances (five starts) without a goal.
He was replaced by Pedro in the second half after failing to stay onside, and while he technically garners an assist for Lionel Messi's second, he had minimal impact.
We've seen great players like Cesc Fabregas fail to fit in after years of trying, and while we're happy to be patient with Suarez, he's a loser today.
Winner: Pedro, Who Seized His Chance
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It's been a rough season for Pedro, with many fans suggesting his decline from the Pep Guardiola era is one of the more stunning drop-offs in recent years.
But the Spaniard impressed after replacing Luis Suarez, and if we're to label the Uruguayan a loser, we must call Pedro a winner. His touch and strike for his goal, bringing in a lofted, 60-yard pass before firing into the corner, was absolutely sublime.
He later teed up Messi for the hat-trick goal.
Loser: Barcelona's 'Defending'
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Has Roger Johnson paid a visit to Barcelona's training sessions recently? Based on the evidence of their "defending" against Espanyol, it would seem so.
Twice in the first half the back line simply decided to back away when opponents surged forward on the counter-attack, allowing Felipe Caicedo and Sergio Garcia time to amble forward and create scoring chances.
Gerard Pique, chief culprit on the day, was badly at fault for the Garcia goal. His goal will mask a terrible defensive showing.
Winner: The Fans
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There's nothing like holding the local bragging rights, and Barcelona fans were treated on Sunday.
Lionel Messi helped Barcelona pick things up after a slow start, and the spectators inside the stadium saw several beautiful goals in the second half. It makes work on Monday morning far more fathomable...though the same can't be said for the Espanyol loyalists!
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