Barcelona started and finished strongly on Sunday night but sagged in between and drew 2-2 at less fashionable neighbours Espanyol to cling on to fourth place in La Liga.  “We didn’t play brilliantly, but we played well enough to win. The bad news is that we didn’t win,” said Barcelona coach Xavi. 

Pedri gave Barcelona a second minute lead but Sergi Darder levelled and set up Raul de Tomas for a counter-attack goal. With time running out, Luuk de Jong headed an equaliser that saved a point for Barcelona, but they still are 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.