Four goals inside the opening half an hour has given Barcelona a comfortable victory against city rivals Espanyol on Tito Vilanova's return to the dugout.

© AP Photos

Barcelona immediately looked to dominate possession and were passing very crisply inside the opening 10 minutes with the visitors barely seeing the ball.

In the 11th minute it was 1-0 and it was typical tight passing from Barca. Lionel Messi found Andres Iniesta, who clipped the ball into the path of Xavi, and he made no mistake.

Five minutes later Barcelona doubled their advantage when Cesc Fabregas crossed low for Messi, whose shot went in off Pedro.

In the 28th minute Pedro added his second and this time it was all his doing. Fabregas was once more the architect and Pedro clipped the ball over the goalkeeper with aplomb.

A penalty won by Fabregas and converted by Messi brought Barca's fourth and it was looking like it could be double figures.

© AP Photos

Espanyol finally managed some possession towards the end of the half, but were unable to get close enough to create a chance.

Kiko Casilla almost gifted Pedro his hat-trick by clearing straight to the winger, but he recovered well to force a corner.

With just under 20 minutes left, David Villa had the best chance of the second half, but hit his shot straight at Casilla.

Messi fired an 84th-minute free-kick against the crossbar as Barca pushed for a fifth, but there was not to be a further goal.