A brace from Dani Olmo and a goal from Raphinha moved Barca nine points clear at the top of La Liga with a 3-1 win over Espanyol. Javi Puado reduced the visitors' lead in the second half, but to no avail as Hansi Flick's men recorded a sixth straight win in all competitions.
Barca made six wins from six and extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points with a comfortable victory over Catalan rivals Espanyol at their temporary stadium, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Dani Olmo scored after just 12 minutes, clinically finishing a smart move from Barca. Captain Raphinha doubled the lead soon after with a fine pass over the goalkeeper. Espanyol had the ball in the back of the net, but VAR ruled the shot offside. Seconds later, Olmo scored the third goal to make it 3-0 at the break.
Hansi Flick will be disappointed by Barça's second-half slump. Espanyol reduced the gap thanks to a fine finish from Javi Puado and saw two more goals disallowed before Ansu Fati had another shot disallowed for offside in stoppage time.
Barca's fourth straight win and 11th in 12 years puts them in a strong position in the league. The 27-time Spanish champions will travel twice before the international break - first to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, before returning to the league at Real Sociedad.
Manolo Gonzalez's Espanyol have lost six times in seven games and must face relegation again, having only returned to the top flight thanks to last season's Segunda Division play-offs. The next opponent in the league will be Valencia, who will be in trouble, in an important match at the bottom of the table.
Talking Point - Barcelona leads La Liga
Even before today's game, Barcelona's position at the top of the table looked worrying.
After beating Real Madrid 4-0 in the Clasico last weekend, Hansi Flick's men moved six points clear at the top of the table.
That six-point advantage has now grown to nine, with the Catalan team securing 11 wins in 12 games. Despite their defensive fragility, they can throw off their opponents, with an attacking threat - led by Lewandowski (17 goals) - now bolstered by the return of Gavi and Fati.
They will approach the international break with trips to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League and Real Sociedad in the must-win league.
The player of the match
Dani Olmo (Barcelona): The Barcelona midfielder produced a masterful performance, at the heart of it all until his substitution at the start of the second half. He raised several warning signs before opening the scoring in the 12th minute, heading in a low cross from Yamal. On the half-hour mark, he doubled the lead with a long, thunderous pass. An unstoppable goal for an unstoppable performance. He almost ended the game with a hat-trick early in the second half, ahead of Flick
I don't consider it too valuable to risk, with an eye on a Champions League match midweek.
Notes from a judge
BARCELONA: Pena 6, Balde 7, Cubarsi 7, Martinez 7, Fort 7, Pedri 8, Casado 8, Raphinha 8, Olmo 9, Yamal 8, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Lopez 6, de Jong 6, Kounde 6, Fati6
Espanyol: Garcia 6, Rosemary 5, Cabrera 6, Kumbulla 5, Hilali 6, Aguado 6, Bauza 6, Kral 6, Tejero 6, Carreras 7, Puado 6. Subs: Gomez 5, Smith 5, Cheddira 5, Unuvar 5, Olivan 5.
Match highlights
12' - GOOD! Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol (Olmo): It happens and Olmo can be the only one. Yamal sends a great ball into the box and Olmo heads it over Garcia at the near post from 6 yards. He made it look easy.
23' - GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol (Raphinha): Barca doubled their lead. Casado crossed well and Raphinha was able to beat Garcia who scored.
27' - GOAL SCORRED FOR ESPANIOL: Espanyol regained possession thanks to a clinical finish by Carreras after a quick counter-attack. A VAR check determined he was offside in the build-up to the match.
31' - GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Espanyol (Olmo): And it's 3-0. It's Olmo again. He collects the ball on the edge of the area after a deft pass and unleashes a thunderbolt that deflects slightly but firmly into the net.
58' - GOAL REJECTED: Another goal was rejected for Espanyol. Another offside position. This time, it's Tejero who sees his shot blocked. The visitors must hate VAR.
63' - GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Espanyol (Puado): Once again, VAR is checked, but this time it is important! Romero crosses for Puado who scores from 6 meters. It didn't take long to get the ball.
72' - THREE GOALS REJECTED: Espanyol sees the third goal disallowed. This time, the ball went out of bounds before it was centered. Extraordinary!
90+3' - GOAL RESPECTED: Fati breaks free and equalizes the ball with the net. The flag goes straight - this is offside.
NEXT MORE
How to Watch Serie A in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
How to Watch Bundesliga in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
UEFA Cuts Ticket Prices for Away Fans in European Club Competitions
Real Madrid's 2024-25 Champions League Group Stage Schedule
Complete fixtures and results for the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage
How to Watch Champions League in the US: Live Streams, TV Channels, and Fixture Schedule
