Alexis settles the Catalan derby

Barcelona and Espanyol kicked off proceedings for matchday eleven of the current Liga BBVA campaign with a game that finished in favour of the blaugrana (1-0) thanks to an Alexis Sánchez goal, the Chilean’s seventh of season.

The first half was a Barcelona master class, with Tata Martino’s men dominating possession against a Parakeet side looking to cause damage on the counter-attack. However, the home side was unable to really penetrate in the final third of the pitch. The closest either team came to scoring in the opening 45 minutes came just before half time when Dani Alves’ shot from the edge of the area crashed off the Espanyol crossbar.

Barcelona came out the stronger after the break and had another two chances to open the scoring. First Lionel Messi was denied by Kiko Casilla, who was in excellent form throughout the match, and then Neymar almost got the Camp Nou to its feet with a great strike. However, it was Alexis who got the only goal of the night, finishing off an assist from the Brazilian in the 68th minute. This victory further secures Barcelona’s lead atop the Liga BBVA table.