100 points in sight

BARÇA CRUISES IN DERBY AGAINST ESPANYOL

Goals from Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez, one in each half, clinched the derby for Barça against Espanyol and kept the hope of reaching Real Madrid's 100-point record alive.

It was a short 14-minute wait for the first goal. Alexis started the run from the left, played a one-two with Villa, beat Colotto to the ball, and took it past Raúl Rodríguez to sneak it inside the left post of Cristian Álvarez's goal.

It was a fine strike by Alex Sánchez, who has made a leap forward in the closing stages of the season, having been the subject of much criticism throughout. It may prove to have come too late, however, to keep him off the list of outgoing transfers.

The second goal came in the 86th minute. It came from another one-two, this time between Pedro and Xavi, which the former finished well, getting the better of Cristian Álvarez and deciding the derby in Cornellà.

With Messi and Puyol out injured, Barça put all its efforts into the tie with a view to equalling the points record set by Real Madrid in the last campaign. The 'Azulgranas' are currently on 97, meaning they have just three more to go to reach 100.