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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Nov 1, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Espanyol logo

1-0

Sanchez (68')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Alexis Sanchez goal seals win for Barcelona

Alexis Sanchez scores in the second half to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Espanyol in La Liga.

A second-half goal from Alexis Sanchez has secured all three points for Barcelona in their La Liga clash with Espanyol this evening.

Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez celebrates with teammate Neymar after scoring the opening goal against Espanyol on November 1, 2013© Getty Images

The visitors started well as David Lopez looked to create a chance inside the opening two minutes, before Victor Sanchez stole the ball away from Andres Iniesta, but was unable to set up Thievy Bifouma.

The Spanish champions struggled to get their attack going in the opening stages of the match, running at their opponents, but rarely getting in behind their back four.

Neymar carved out a chance for Lionel Messi 17 minutes in, but the Argentine's finish was blocked by Hector Moreno.

Moreno prevented another potential goal-scoring opportunity later in the opening half as Alexis Sanchez tried to tap in from a Dani Alves cross.

Barcelona finished the first half strongly, with Iniesta testing Francisco Casilla before Sergio Busquets struck the post, but they could not break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.

After a quiet spell in the second half, Messi came close to giving the home side the lead as he looked to head in from an Alves delivery, but Casilla was able to tip it wide.

Sanchez was able to give Barcelona the lead in the 68th minute, turning the ball into the net from a well-placed Neymar cross.

The visitors responded well, with Sergio Garcia finding Gabriel Torje inside the Barcelona penalty area, but Gerard Pique was able to get the block in.

Garcia had a chance himself inside the final 10 minutes, attempting to curl the ball into the top corner, but Victor Valdes made the save to protect the home side's lead.

Pedro almost doubled the lead in stoppage time, evading Espanyol's defenders before smashing the ball towards goal, but Casilla was able to punch the ball behind.

The result leaves Barcelona four points clear at the top of the table.

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Neymar celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou on October 26, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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