Leo Messi scored his first ever goal in Espanyol’s Cornella El Prat stadium to give Barcelona a potentially title winning victory against local rivals Espanyol.

Barça players had told each other after their Clasico win last week – win the Catalan derby and we’re in the home straight, and though the hostile atmosphere would make for a very uncomfortable first half a second half spot kick would see Barcelona pick up the three points.

Messi had failed to score at this stadium in five seasons but he made no mistake with the penalty after full-back Javi Lopez had harshly been adjudged to have handled in the area.

Lopez would have the chance to use his hands legally later when keeper Kike Casilla was sent off for handling outside his area. The defender took the gloves and saved well from Alexis to keep the score at 1-0.

Barcelona’s huddle after their warm-up played out to the sound of boos from home supporters wanting the scalp of their richer neighbours as they themselves cruise to mid-table safety, and the hostility was in evidence on the pitch as well as off as the Uruguayan Stuani clattered into Fabregas inside the first minute.

Neymar’s weak header straight at Kike Casilla was Barça’s first chance. Then the late challenges started to come ever more frequently. There was a nasty foul from Fuentes on Pedro as Espanyol got stuck into Barcelona as Atletico Madrid will hope to do likewise in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Messi had never scored at this stadium and he missed several opportunities. But it was Neymar who was guilty of the worst miss blasting over from six yards after a cross from Alves.

Barcelona had enjoyed 78 percent of possession for Barcelona but they could not break down Espanyol’s stubborn defence and Espanyol gained in confidence.

Pinto almost caught the ball behind the line after being caught out by the bounce of a long ball.

Pizzi’s blazed over Neymar-style after Barcelona were carved open down their left.

Mascherano was then beaten in the air, not helped by Neymar jumping in front of him, and the Argentine appeared to catch Lopez in the face inside the penalty area. Stuani then did likewise to Neymar and was booked.

Colotto then kicked Neymar up in the air. The Brazilian rolled over four times and Colotto was booked.There had been12 first half fouls from Espanyol were lucky to have only picked up two bookings.

The pattern of play continued in the second half with Espanyol pressing and bullying and Barcelona restricted to a Fabregas header from a Xavi corner comfortably taken by Casilla. Fabregas was a threat again from a corner back-heeling into Messi’s path but the Argentine was crowded out.

Pique then hit the bar after Busquets had flicked on Xavi’s corner Barcelona were getting closer and closer and finally the breakthrough came. Javi Lopez, who had contained Neymar so well throughout tangled with him in the area. The ball cannoned off the Brazilian and onto the hand of the full-back.

He looked far too close to the ball to avoid the contact but referee Clos Gomez pointed to the spot and Messi rolled the penalty down the middle to give Barcelona the decisive win.

—Daily Mail