FC Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the LaLiga table to nine points after cruising to a 3-1 win over Espanyol on Sunday evening.
LALIGA
Result: FC Barcelona v Espanyol
Date: 03 November 2024
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Dani Olmo was the new face in attack from Barca's thrashing of Real Madrid, as he joined the front three of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Hansi Flick's charges were quick off the blocks and just after 12 minutes, Olmo gave them the lead with a powerful strike that went in off the post after he was teed up by Yamal.
The hosts remained on the front foot and Raphinha made it 2-0 midway through the first stanza with an audacious lob over goalkeeper Joan Garcia after he spotted him off his line.
Espanyol thought they had pulled a goal back shortly before the half-hour mark, after Jofre latched onto a through ball in the box with a low finish but his effort was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Blaugrana regained their momentum as moments later Olmo made it 3-0 and completed his brace with a strike from the edge of the box.
The hosts slowed down the intensity of their attacks towards the interval but Espanyol had a better resistance, as the Catalan giants went to the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The White and Blue continued to limit Barca's threats from the interval and just before the hour-mark, Alvaro Tejero found the back of the net with a tap-in from a square pass but the goal was chalked off for a marginal offside after a VAR intervention.
However, Javi Puado eventually reduced the deficit to 3-1 moments later with a clinical strike after a pass by Carlos Romero found him unmarked in the box.
Barca had a wake up call, as shortly thereafter Robert Lewandowski came close to restoring their three-goal lead with a strike towards the top corner that was well saved by Garcia.
Flick's troops controlled the game by keeping possession in the closing and had the fresh legs of Anssumane Fati and Gavi in the dying minutes, as Raphinha and Pedri were rested.
Blaugrana were comfortable in the end, as they stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points over second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
