Espanyol pull brakes on Barcelona

Barcelona dropped points for the third time in four league games as they were held 0-0 by local rivals Espanyol in a heated Catalan derby last Saturday.

Atletico Madrid moved two points clear of Barca at the top of the table, having played a game more, thanks to substitute Thomas Partey's late winner to edge past Levante 1-0.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez hit the woodwork for Barcelona either side of half-time, but Espanyol's physical approach was rewarded with a first point against Barca in eight matches.

Their best chance came from a set-piece, though, when Alvaro Gonzalez's header was brilliantly stopped by Claudio Bravo and Gerard Pique hooked the ball to safety off the line.

Barca's star front three of Messi, Suarez and Neymar combined for 137 of a record 180 goals in 2015, but they didn't come to life until midway through the first half when Neymar's dangerous cross fell just behind Suarez.

Messi then struck the angle of post and bar with an almost perfect free-kick as Barca began to take control just before the break. 

— AFP