Lionel Messi converted a 76th-minute penalty to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at local rivals Espanyol and keep their title charge strong.
For three-quarters of an engrossing, high-tempo derby encounter, Tata
Martino's side appeared to be at great risk of losing two points they
could not afford to drop in the three-horse race with Atletico Madrid
and Real Madrid.However, an unfortunate but avoidable handball by Javi Lopez close to the end gave Messi the opportunity to win it from the penalty spot - an opportunity the Argentine did not squander.
It was at that point a back-and-forth encounter fell into the control of the city's bigger and richer club - especially moments later when Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla rushed out of his box in a moment of madness and denied Messi a lobbed goal from 25 yards with his hands.
He was sent straight off for the deliberate handball outside the area and with all three substitutes used, Lopez would go on to put his own hands to more productive use with a series of good saves to keep the scoreline tight.
Nonetheless the home side came out of the derby with nothing while Barca move back to the top of the table for at least until after Atletico's trip to Athletic Bilbao. posted by Emanto Ngaloru March 29, 2014.
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