Barcelona drop points with 2-2 La Liga draw with Espanyol

Baku, January 5, AZERTAC

Barcelona slipped to a shock 2-2 draw with rivals Espanyol in the Derbi Barceloní, leaving the Catalan giants level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Barca fell behind after 23 minutes, when David Lopez flicked home a dangerous in-swinging free-kick beyond goalkeeper Neto. The visitors looked majorly out of sorts during the opening 45 minutes, with their best chance falling to Luis Suarez, who could only hit the post.

Suarez did level proceedings five minutes after half-time however, tapping home a delicious Jordi Alba cross from close range to breathe life in the stuttering away side. The Uruguayan played his part in Barca's next goal, flicking an inch-perfect ball onto the head of Arturo Vidal, who powered Ernesto Valverde's side into the lead just before the hour-mark.

Frenkie de Jong was shown a red card in the 75th minute for two tactical fouls, which left the visitors holding on to their slim advantage. But Barca were unable to see out the match, as substitute Wu Lei rifled beyond Neto with only two minutes left to play, meaning the away side missed the opportunity to take a two-point lead at La Liga's summit.