Barcelona welcomed Espanyol to the Camp Nou on Sunday in the Catalan derby.
The visitors took the lead in the La Liga clash courtesy of a 14th-minute strike from Sergio Garcia, but Lionel Messi equalised for Barcelona on the stroke of the interval.
Messi had his second early in the second period, before Gerard Pique made it 3-1 after 54 minutes.
The scoring was not over, however, with Pedro making it four after 78 minutes, before Messi completed his treble late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Espanyol for the Catalan derby. Right, before we get down to the details ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Barcelona.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Rakitic; Suarez, Messi, Neymar
ESPANYOL: Casilla; Arbilla, Alvaro, Bailly, Fuentes; Canas, V.Sanchez, Sevilla, Vazquez; Garcia, Caicedo
So there we have it. Andres Iniesta drops to the bench for Barcelona having just returned from a lay-off, meaning that Ivan Rakitic starts in midfield alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets. The back four is as expected, with Javier Mascherano reverting to centre-back. Neymar, Luis Suarez and of course Lionel Messi also all start.
For Espanyol, there is a spot in the side for 20-year-old Ivorian defender Eric Bertrand Bailly. Victor Sanchez and Salva Sevilla also start in what is an experienced midfield, while skipper Sergio Garcia returns to his former club. The Spaniard will be supported by the lively Portuguese forward Felipe Caicedo.
Incredibly, Barcelona have won each of their last five La Liga derbies against Espanyol without conceding a single goal. Indeed, the last time that Espanyol scored in a derby at the Camp Nou came in 2009, when a certain Ivan de la Pena hit a brace. Since then, it has been slim pickings for the visitors.
Last season, Barcelona won both matches 1-0, while they were 4-0 winners at the Camp Nou in January 2013. Barca are currently on a run of six straight wins in all competitions, with that run seeing them advance into the knockout stage of the Champions League and keep pace with Real Madrid in La Liga.
Last time out in the league, Barca needed a stoppage-time strike from Sergio Busquets to win at Valencia, with that result moving Luis Enrique's side into second. Since then, however, Atletico and Real Madrid have both won, leaving Barca in third, five points behind Real Madrid, who have won their last 18 games in all competitions. Barca simply cannot afford to drop points this afternoon.
Espanyol, meanwhile, have had a mixed season thus far. The Catalan club have collected 14 points from their 13 matches, with that total leaving them in 12th position in the table. Last time out in the league, they were 2-1 winners over Levante, while they beat Deportivo Alaves in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Espanyol's away form in the league this season has been worrying, however. They have failed to win on the road this term, drawing two of their six matches and losing four times in the process. They have also worryingly scored just four times on the road in La Liga this season.
PREDICTION! In truth and indeed in short, I just cannot see anything other than a Barcelona victory at the Camp Nou. Espanyol have a number of talented players, but it is difficult to envisage the away side taking something from the match. My score prediction is 3-0 Barca.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. As expected, there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the Catalan derby officially underway.
Espanyol have not finished above Barcelona in the league since 1942. Well, I shouldn't think that will change this season. It has been a decent start from the visitors, with a spell of early possession down the left, but it does not last too long as Barca begin their short, snappy passing in the middle of midfield.
It's good work from Neymar as the Brazilian drives through the heart of Espanyol before sliding a pass into Suarez, but the striker was in an offside position. The early indications are good here.
Ivorian defender Bertrand will be busy for Espanyol this afternoon and the centre-back has passed his first couple of tests - denying Suarez and Neymar in quick succession. Barca have just started to take control of the ball in the last couple of moments, but Espanyol look a real threat on the counter.
Half-chance for the home side as Rakitic delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Alvaro is on hand to clear ahead of Suarez. The resulting corner is whipped into the near post, but this time Arbilla clears. Espanyol just need to ride out the opening 10 or 15 minutes here without conceding.
CHANCE! Espanyol come close to taking the lead as Garcia finds all sorts of space inside the Barca box before delivering towards the far post, but Alba just manages to scramble clear ahead of Caicedo. The visitors have come to play this afternoon there is no doubt about that.
Barca want a penalty as Xavi goes down inside the box under a challenge from Alvaro, but it would have been harsh. It was more a coming-together than a clear foul. Correct decision from the referee.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, with Espanyol quelling the Barca pressure with a spell of possession. It has been an even 13 minutes of football at the Camp Nou.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Espanyol (Garcia)
What a turn-up! It is a super, super goal from the visitors as Garcia, who is a former Barcelona player, breaks into the box before firing one into the bottom corner. Excellent from the Espanyol skipper.
Garcia is a really super player and has had offers to leave Espanyol in the past, but has remained loyal. That goal will have meant a lot. It has utterly silenced the Camp Nou. Can Barca respond quickly?
Half-chance for the home side as Neymar clips a header towards Messi, but Alvaro is on hand to clear at the far post. The pressure continues as Barca work the ball from left to right outside the box, but eventually the danger is cleared once again. Espanyol will have to repel some serious pressure here.
Barca have dominated the ball since falling behind, but have not really threatened in terms of clear chances. It is all a little flat at the moment, with Messi, Neymar and Suarez struggling to combine thus far.
Barcelona have a free kick some 35 yards from goal as Caicedo brings Neymar to the ground. The set piece is played short and eventually falls for Xavi outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. There have already been some whistles from the home supporters, who are not best pleased.
Caicedo is not moving too well for Espanyol as he limps off the field...
Barca continue to force the issue with possession in the final third, but they just cannot find a way through at the moment, with the visitors to compact in defensive areas. Caicedo has returned to the field, but the striker is not moving too well at the moment. I shall keep a close eye on that one!
There is a serious lack of pace in everything that Barcelona are doing at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Alves works the ball into Suarez, who threatens to run away from Bertrand, but the Espanyol defender manages to clear at the vital moment. Still 1-0 to the visitors here.
Half-chance for Espanyol this time as Caicedo leads a counter before finding Garcia once more, but this time his effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Another opportunity there.
BOOKING! Sevilla goes into the book for Espanyol after bringing Messi to the ground just outside the box. It is a brilliant chance for Messi to threaten the goalkeeper...
... CROSSBAR! Messi flashes his free kick against the crossbar. So unlucky from the Argentine, who has struggled to influence this match thus far. Better from the home side.
Much better from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes, with Alves threatening down the right on a number of occasions. However, Espanyol have been tight defensively thus far. Pique has a half-chance after meeting a corner from Rakitic, but the defender's header is straight into the arms of Casilla.
Messi bursts into life for the home side after driving through the heart of the Espanyol defence, but his final effort is into the arms of Casilla after more good defending from Bertrand. You just get the feeling that Espanyol need to retain their lead at the interval if they are to take something from this match.
CHANCE! First real chance for Suarez as Xavi sets up the striker on the edge of the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining here.
CHANCE! The chances are starting to pile up for the home side as Messi finds Alba with a brilliant pass, but Casilla denies the left-back from close range. The atmosphere is building...
Espanyol just cannot seem to ease the pressure at the moment as Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third, but crosses into the box are being easily cleared by the visitors. Espanyol are on the break moments later, but Bravo manages to clear at the feet of Victor Sanchez. What a moment!
More frustration for Barcelona as Canas wins a free kick inside his own box - allowing Espanyol to take a breather and move everyone up the field. I shouldn't think there will be too much injury time.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol (Messi)
It just had to be Messi didn't it? Barcelona are level late in the first period as Xavi sets up Messi, who places one into the bottom corner from just outside the box. It is absolutely stunning from the Argentine.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona drawing 1-1 at home to Espanyol. The visitors thought that they had done enough to enter the break with a one-goal lead, but that curling effort from Messi has cancelled out the 14th-minute strike from Garcia. Game on here!
STATS! The home side have utterly dominated the possession with 78%, while they have had seven attempts - three of which have been on target. Espanyol, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their three attempts. There has also been just the one booking thus far - Sevilla (Espanyol).
BENCH WATCH! Barca have a host of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Munir, Iniesta, Pedro and Rafinha all in reserve. Espanyol, meanwhile, have the likes of Javi Lopez, Stuani and Gonzalez on the sidelines. Both managers have talent in reserve here.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will Barcelona build on that equaliser from Messi? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Half-chance for the home side as Xavi floats a free kick towards the far post, but Pique cannot make contact despite the best efforts of the centre-back. It has been a positive start to the half from Barca.
Neymar wants a penalty as the Brazilian goes down inside the box under a challenge from Bertrand, but the referee is not interested. Neymar stays down and is not very pleased with the decision!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Espanyol (Messi)
Messi has his second of the match as the Argentine collects a pass from Suarez before skipping past two defenders and finishing into the bottom corner. Messi to the rescue for Barcelona here.
BOOKING! Vasquez (Espanyol) has been booked for dissent.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Espanyol (Pique)
What a turnaround! Barcelona now lead 3-1 as Pique powers a header into the back of the net. There was some suspect defending from Espanyol, but it was a good climb from the Spanish centre-back.
Barcelona are threatening to run riot here as Messi slides a low pass into Neymar, but the Brazilian had moved into an offside position. Espanyol were comfortable for long periods of the first half, but they could now be on the end of a hiding. Plenty more football to be played at the Camp Nou.
Espanyol manage to ease the pressure with a corner of their own, but the set piece comes to nothing and Caicedo takes a knock for his troubles. The away side are preparing to make their first change of the match, which is not much of a surprise. Something needs to happen for them here.
SUB! Espanyol make their first change as Canas is replaced by Moreno.
Barcelona are really having fun at the moment, with Suarez and Neymar more involved in the final third of the field. Both combine before linking with Messi, but the Argentine cannot move away from Moreno, who is returning to La Liga action here after breaking his leg during the 2014 World Cup.
Another half-chance for the home side as Rakitic meets a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is blocked by Alvaro, who has been called into action on a number of occasions in the last couple of minutes. Little overt 25 minutes of normal time remaining and the home side are comfortable here.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Iniesta replaces Rakitic.
Barcelona are preparing to make their second change of the match, with Pedro almost ready to enter. Not too much has happened in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side remain in control of the possession. Espanyol just have not turned up in the second 45 minutes here.
BOOKING! Alvaro (Espanyol) goes into the book for a late challenge on Messi.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Pedro replaces Suarez.
Messi stands over the free kick outside the box, but his curling effort is high of the crossbar.
SUB! Espanyol also make a change as Stuani replaces Caicedo.
It almost looks inevitable that Barcelona will add to their tally in the latter stages of the match, with Espanyol dropping deeper and deeper. Iniesta is starting to see more of the ball in the final third and the Spaniard has already threatened to slide passes into Messi. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining here.
Half-chance for the home side as Xavi strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Nothing from Espanyol since Barca scored their second - what has happened?
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol (Pedro)
Barcelona have their fourth of the match as Pedro collects a through pass from Iniesta before finishing into the bottom corner. Brilliant from the Spaniard, who hasn't been on the field long.
BOOKING! Arbilla (Espanyol) goes into the book for dissent.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pedro drives down the right before delivering a cross towards the far post, but Neymar cannot connect. Mathieu will be the third and final change for Barca tonight.
GOAL! Barcelona 5-1 Espanyol (Messi, hat-trick)
Messi completes his hat-trick as the Argentine combines with Pedro before rolling his effort into the bottom corner. What more can be said about the attacker? I am lost for words!
SUBS! Mathieu replaces Pique for Barca, while Abraham replaces Bertrand for Espanyol.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and Barcelona are not finished here. Who would have envisaged this score when Espanyol led deep into first-half stoppage time? What a turnaround it has been.
Iniesta attempts to swing a pass towards Alves following another period of Barca domination, but the Spaniard cannot find the right-back. Time is just drifting away at the Camp Nou.
Espanyol are close to being put out of their misery - only stoppage time to follow.
We are into the second and final minute of stoppage time here.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-1 Espanyol
So there we have it. Barcelona come from behind to beat Espanyol 5-1 in the Catalan derby. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Villarreal against Real Sociedad. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
