Barcelona thrash neighbors Espanyol 5-1

Sat, 18 Dec 2010

Madrid - Barcelona turned on the style again on Saturday to thrash Espanyol 5-1 away on Saturday in a one-sided Catalan derby, with two goals apiece from winger Pedro and striker David Villa, plus one from playmaker Xavi.

Pablo Osvaldo pulled a goal back for Espanyol but the hosts - who had won all their previous home matches - were incapable of turning the tables on their illustrious neighbors.

It was Barca's 10th consecutive league win and confirms their imperious form. They now have 43 points from 16 games and have scored 50 goals, leaving them on course to break all the records.

They are five points above Real Madrid, who are at home to troubled Sevilla on Sunday.

Lionel Messi should have given Barca an early lead but the chance fell to his weaker right foot and he blasted over. But Pedro made no mistake in the 19th minute when played through by Messi, making it 1-0 with a cool finish.

Xavi made it 2-0 on the half hour with a low cross-shot, after a series of mistakes from the over-worked Espanyol defense.

The one-way traffic continued into the second half, and Pedro added a third after Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni had dropped a long shot from Messi.

Osvaldo then pulled a goal back for Espanyol after speeding away from aging Barca captain Carles Puyol. The hosts poured forward more in hope than expectation but left gaps at the back which Villa cruelly exploited with two late goals.

It was Barca's biggest away win against their neighbors in almost 50 years. So impressive was their performance that they were actually applauded off by the Espanyol fans.

Earlier on Saturday, Villarreal had held on to third place with a 3-1 home defeat of Mallorca.

Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla gave the yellows the lead in the 12th minute after Guiseppe Rossi had headed on a center from Borja Valero.

Jonathan de Guzman made it 1-1 for Mallorca 16 minutes later by volleying home a center from Pierre Webo. But the hosts quickly resumed control and Rossi restored their lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after a handball by Webo.

Seven minutes into the second half Nilmar made it 3-1 with a classy chip after being played through by Borja. The third goal knocked the stuffing out of Mallorca, who never threatened to turn the result around.

Villarreal now have 33 points from 16 games, which is five more than fourth-placed Espanyol.

Also on Saturday, Athletic Bilbao moved up to joint fifth with a 2-1 win away to troubled Levante. The Basques are level on 25 points with Valencia, both of them three behind Espanyol.

Valencia were due to face Real Sociedad in Saturday's late game.

Veteran Igor Gabilondo gave Bilbao an early lead only for Felipe Caicedo to quickly level for Levante. But 17 minutes from time Spain World Cup reserve Javi Martinez made it 2-1 for the visitors by heading in a clever Gabilondo center.

Levante are now fifth from bottom and facing their usual relegation struggle.

With three points less than Levante are Sporting Gijon, who did well to battle out a 1-1 draw away to Deportivo Coruna.

Aythami Oliva gave Deportivo an early lead but Gijon fought back bravely and earned a point thanks to a late strike from Diego Castro.

Gijon are still second from bottom but are now three points above bottom team Zaragoza.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/358823,thrash-neighbours-espanyol-5-1.html.