Espanyol 2-2 Barcelona: Late Wu Lei goal denies Barca derby win
Wu Lei has scored six goals for Espanyol this season
Wu Lei rescued a late point for Espanyol in their derby with La Liga champions Barcelona.
The hosts - who are bottom of the table - took a surprise first-half lead through David Lopez's header.
Barca looked in control thanks to Luis Suarez's first-time finish and Arturo Vidal's header - but they had Frenkie de Jong sent off for two bookings.
Substitute Wu became the first Chinese player to score against Barca when he slotted home from Matias Vargas' pass.
The point takes Barcelona back to the top of the table above Real Madrid - who beat Getafe 3-0 earlier on Saturday - on goal difference.
Espanyol, who have now failed to win a La Liga derby against Barcelona in their past 21 attempts, were much improved from recent weeks in their first game under Abelardo, who is their third manager of the season.
They deservedly led at the break but Barcelona appeared to be cruising towards victory when Suarez poked home Jordi Alba's cross and then crossed for Vidal to head home.
Suarez, who turns 33 this month, has been involved in Barcelona's past 10 La Liga goals.
But a De Jong mistake ultimately cost Barcelona. The Dutch youngster gave away possession to Jonathan Calleri and fouled him while trying to win the ball back, getting a second booking and a first career red card.
And substitute Wu made them pay when he finished with two minutes to go.
Barcelona were hanging on after that but saw out the draw to ensure they have not lost a derby in the league since 2009.
-
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Espanyol
13López
16López RodríguezBooked at 35mins
5Gomes Pereira
20Bernardo
17Vilá
34GómezSubstituted forVargasat 62'minutes
15LópezSubstituted forIturraspeat 67'minutes
21RocaBooked at 62mins
14MelendoSubstituted forWuat 74'minutes
12Calleri
10Darder
Substitutes
1Prieto
3Pedrosa
6López
7Wu
8Iturraspe
22Vargas
31Campuzano
Barcelona
13Murara Neto
20Roberto
3Piqué
15Lenglet
18Alba
4RakiticSubstituted forVidalat 45'minutes
5Busquets
21de JongBooked at 75mins
10Messi
9Suárez
17GriezmannSubstituted forNélson Semedoat 80'minutes
Substitutes
2Nélson Semedo
22Vidal
23Umtiti
24Firpo
26Peña
27Pérez
31Fati
Referee:
Carlos del Cerro Grande
Match Stats
Home TeamEspanyolAway TeamBarcelona
Possession
Home31%
Away69%
Shots
Home8
Away14
Shots on Target
Home3
Away7
Corners
Home4
Away5
Fouls
Home17
Away11
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Espanyol 2, Barcelona 2.
Full TimePosted at 90'+5'
Second Half ends, Espanyol 2, Barcelona 2.
Posted at 90'+5'
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+5'
Foul by Naldo (Espanyol).
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Sergio Busquets (Barcelona).
Posted at 90'+4'
Matías Vargas (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+3'
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+3'
Foul by Marc Roca (Espanyol).
Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Wu Lei (Espanyol) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 89'
Attempt missed. Jonathan Calleri (Espanyol) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Goal!Posted at 88'
Goal! Espanyol 2, Barcelona 2. Wu Lei (Espanyol) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Matías Vargas.
Posted at 87'
Attempt saved. Luis Suárez (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Arturo Vidal with a headed pass.
Posted at 86'
Jordi Alba (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 86'
Foul by Jonathan Calleri (Espanyol).
Posted at 85'
Corner, Espanyol. Conceded by Jordi Alba.
Posted at 84'
Corner, Espanyol. Conceded by Gerard Piqué.
Posted at 83'
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Ander Iturraspe (Espanyol).
Posted at 83'
Clément Lenglet (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Wu Lei (Espanyol).
Posted at 81'
Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 81'
Foul by Jonathan Calleri (Espanyol).
Posted at 81'
Attempt missed. Luis Suárez (Barcelona) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is close, but misses to the left.
SubstitutionPosted at 80'
Substitution, Barcelona. Nélson Semedo replaces Antoine Griezmann.
Posted at 77'
Attempt saved. Wu Lei (Espanyol) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Roca with a cross.
Posted at 76'
Attempt missed. Matías Vargas (Espanyol) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Dídac Vilá following a set piece situation.
DismissalPosted at 75'
Second yellow card to Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) for a bad foul.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona).
Posted at 75'
Jonathan Calleri (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
SubstitutionPosted at 74'
Substitution, Espanyol. Wu Lei replaces Óscar Melendo.
Posted at 71'
Foul by Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona).
Posted at 71'
Óscar Melendo (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 69'
Foul by Luis Suárez (Barcelona).
Posted at 69'
Javi López (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 68'
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 68'
Foul by Javi López (Espanyol).
SubstitutionPosted at 67'
Substitution, Espanyol. Ander Iturraspe replaces David López.
BookingPosted at 66'
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 66'
Foul by Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona).
Posted at 66'
Matías Vargas (Espanyol) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Show more updates
goal
Source: bbc.com
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment