Barca destroyed city rivals with a 5-0 win in the 167th Catalan derby thanks to Leo Messi and his 38th career hattrick and 3rd one against Espanyol.
1-0
Messi scored an opener from Rakitic through-ball midway through the first half, despite replays showing the Argentinean was clearly off side when the ball was played.
2-0
Barca had a stroke of luck again when the ball ricocheted off Espanyol defender Pape Diop and into the path of Alba who set up Messi for his second.
Espanyol came close to reducing the deficit when Pablo Piatti's superb drive struck Marc Andre Ter Stegen's post but a lack of ambition cost Quique Sanchez Flores's side who wilted under the hosts' late onslaught.
3-0
Alba assisted once more when he pulled back for Messi to score his third after good link-up play with Suarez, as the Argentinean celebrated an astonishing 38th treble in Barca's colours.
4-0
Pique leaped over Espanyol defender Hermoso to send a header past goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
5-0
NNew man Dembele gave a glimpse of what is to ccme when he beat the offside trap and showed great vision to set up Surez who finally made them scoresheet after missing some good shots
1-0
Messi scored an opener from Rakitic through-ball midway through the first half, despite replays showing the Argentinean was clearly off side when the ball was played.
2-0
Barca had a stroke of luck again when the ball ricocheted off Espanyol defender Pape Diop and into the path of Alba who set up Messi for his second.
Espanyol came close to reducing the deficit when Pablo Piatti's superb drive struck Marc Andre Ter Stegen's post but a lack of ambition cost Quique Sanchez Flores's side who wilted under the hosts' late onslaught.
3-0
Alba assisted once more when he pulled back for Messi to score his third after good link-up play with Suarez, as the Argentinean celebrated an astonishing 38th treble in Barca's colours.
4-0
Pique leaped over Espanyol defender Hermoso to send a header past goalkeeper Pau Lopez.
5-0
NNew man Dembele gave a glimpse of what is to ccme when he beat the offside trap and showed great vision to set up Surez who finally made them scoresheet after missing some good shots
