Ten-man Barcelona saw their lead at the top of the Primera Liga
cut to seven points after losing 2-1 at home to bottom club Espanyol
in the city's derby at the Nou Camp.
Former Barca player Ivan De La Pena did the damage with two goals
shortly after the interval, when the home side were already a man
down following the first-half dismissal of Seydou Keita.
Yaya Toure pulled a goal back for the home side not long after
that, but Pep Guardiola's men were unable to come back this time
and saw their lead cut by Real Madrid, who thrashed Real Betis 6-1
at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Barcelona had not lost in the league since the opening day of the
season, although last weekend's 2-2 draw at Real Betis ended a 10-match
winning streak for Guardiola's side, and were heavy favourites against
an Espanyol outfit who went bottom following last weekend's 2-0
defeat by Sevilla.
Espanyol had also failed to win a league match since early November
and were without a victory at the Nou Camp in the league since 1982.
|
