Barcelona kept their La Liga title bid on course courtesy of a 2-0 victory at neighbours Espanyol.
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The Catalan giants, fresh from their dominant Champions League quarter-final, second leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain, continued their push for domestic honours at the expense of their derby rivals.
Goals from pivotal attacking duo Neymar and Lionel Messi in the first half of the contest meant it would always be an uphill struggle for their opponents, and so it proved, as head coach Luis Enrique celebrated another triumph in the day’s early kick-off.
Barca are now five points clear of bitter enemies Real Madrid at the top of the table, albeit having played one game more than Los Blancos.
It was their 26th top-flight victory of the campaign and once again demonstrated the frightening attacking options Enrique has at his disposal, with Neymar and Messi ably assisted by former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
The deadlock was broken in the 16th minute of the game. A wonderful pass from that man Messi started the move, and partner in crime Neymar found the net in clinical fashion despite a suspicion of offside against Suarez:
Nine minutes later Barca doubled their advantage, and this time it was Messi’s turn to get his name on the scoresheet, with Suarez grabbing the assist despite further calls for offside:
The pair combined again, only for Messi to hit the post: