Barcelona have opened up a 2-0 lead over Espanyol at half time of their La Liga clash this afternoon.

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The visitors could have opened the scoring just three minutes into the tie when Neymar found himself in space in the box, but Francisco Casilla saved his powerful shot.

Barcelona continued to apply the pressure in the opening quarter of an hour, with Luis Suarez also testing the Espanyol keeper and Neymar blasting another chance just high.

The Brazilian did break the deadlock just a couple of minutes later, though, as Suarez flicked the ball on for Neymar to slide the ball into the bottom corner.

Lionel Messi doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes later as a low cross from Suarez found the Argentine for a tap in at the far post.

Espanyol tried to press forward in a bid to get back into the match shortly before the interval, but Felipe Caicedo's pass forward for Victor Alvarez was overhit.