Late goals from substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski give Barcelona a 2-0 win at Espanyol, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points
LATE goals from substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski earned Barcelona a smash-and-grab 2-0 victory at city rivals Espanyol on Saturday.
The win extends Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to seven points and marks their ninth consecutive league victory.
Espanyol, who had won their previous five matches, dominated large parts of a typically spiky derby at the RCDE Stadium. They were repeatedly denied by Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was facing his former club amid a hostile reception from the home fans.
Garcia made two vital first-half saves to keep the scores level, first blocking Roberto Fernandez’s one-on-one effort and then tipping a Pere Milla header wide.
Barcelona’s first clear chance came in the 70th minute, but Espanyol’s Marko Dmitrovic made a stunning save to deny Eric Garcia from point-blank range.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 86th minute by three Barcelona substitutes. Fermin Lopez drove forward and found Olmo, who curled a shot into the top corner for his first appearance in over a month.
Lopez then set up Lewandowski to dink home a second goal in the 90th minute, sealing the victory.
“I don’t know if we’re favourites (for La Liga) or not… but we’re in a good dynamic and we have an advantage over Real Madrid, and our objective is to keep that advantage,” said Lopez after the match.
Second-placed Real Madrid host Real Betis on Sunday.
