Espanyol 0-3 Barcelona: Player ratings

Andy West 07:34 30/04/2017
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  • Barca kept in front of Real.

    Luis Suarez ended a six-game scoring drought to set Barcelona on their way to a vital victory over Espanyol in a typically feisty local derby.

    Real Madrid’s dramatic triumph over Valencia earlier in the day left Barca with no option but winning to retain their title hopes, but for a long time that outcome looked doubtful in an attritional game which initially yielded few chances.

    Mid-table Espanyol had nothing to play for in terms of league placement but they would have loved to upset their local rivals’ title bid, and that showed as they delivered a committed and disciplined performance.

    The Barcelona breakthrough came early in the second half, and the hosts were the architects of their own downfall as a horribly misplaced pass from Jurado allowed Suarez to run clean through on goal, and the striker showed no lack of confidence despite his recent dry spell as he converted a crisp low finish.

    The points were wrapped up when Lionel Messi made a jinking run from the halfway line before releasing a perfect pass for Ivan Rakitic to coolly stroke home.

    And the scoring was completed late on when Espanyol left-back Aaron Martin made a hash of a clearance to give Suarez a simple close-range tap-in.

    Andy West delivers his ratings, MOTM and verdict…

    Espanyol:

    Di Lopez 6/10

    J Lopez 6

    Da Lopez 6

    Reyes 7

    Martin 5

    Jurado 4

    Sanchez 7

    Fuego 6

    Piatti 5

    Moreno 6

    Caicedo 6

    Subs:

    Baptistao 5

    Perez 6

    Roca n/a

    Barcelona:

    Ter Stegen 6

    Roberto 6

    Pique 8

    Umtiti 7

    Alba 6

    Rakitic 7

    Busquets 7

    Gomes 6

    Messi 7

    Suarez 7

    Neymar 6

    Subs:

    Mascherano 6

    Man of the match (Luis Suarez)

    It was a much needed brace for Suarez.

    It was a much needed brace for Suarez.

    Luis Suarez grabbed the headlines with two goals, but an even more important contribution to Barca’s victory came from centre back Gerard Pique, whose calm control of the defence prevented Espanyol from exerting any real pressure and allowed Barca to grow into the game.

    Verdict:

    GettyImages-674900392

    Luis Enrique is in his final season at Barcelona.

    This was a game Barca needed to navigate safety against an Espanyol team who were determined to upset their title ambitions. The first half was typical of a local derby with more rugged challenges than flowing football, but after Suarez pounced on an awful error to give Barca the lead there was only one winner. If the reigning champions had approached all their away games with such intensity this season they would probably not be in the position of needing other teams to do them a favour.

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