Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol: Joselu’s penalty cancels out Marcos Alonso’s opener in derby attract

Barcelona went back to the prime of LaLiga but dropped two factors versus nearby rivals Espanyol in an ill-tempered chaotic derby in which controversial referee Mateu Lahoz held up his Globe Cup variety by showing 15 yellow cards and two reds.

Lahoz who booked 17 gamers in his past game in Qatar involving the Netherlands and Argentina sent Vini Souza and Jordi Alba off in the 2nd half as Espanyol equalised a Marcos Alonso opener with a Joselu penalty. Lahoz also sent Leandro Cabrera off only to reverse his selection when he was advised to review it pitchside.

Xavi Hernandez, who was also booked in the second fifty percent, noticed his facet take the direct immediately after 7 minutes when Alonso scored his to start with purpose for the club heading in a corner that had been flicked on by Robert Lewandowski.

Joselu celebrates just after equalising for Espanyol from the penalty location at the Nou Camp

Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring his to start with at any time LaLiga goal for Barcelona from Espanyol

There was poor blood main up to the game with Barcelona effectively receiving a stay of execution for their Polish striker who was intended to miss the match in what would have been the initially of a 3-sport ban. Barcelona experienced lodged an charm with a non-Athletics decide in Madrid and their choice intended the 13-objective ahead could start out the match.

His critical element in the goal made it even additional tricky for Espanyol to acknowledge his existence on the pitch. There had been no Espanyol admirers inside of the stadium with absent followers banned in the Catalan derby and the 88,000 Barça followers ought to have sensed they ended up about to go on and get easily but Espanyol stayed in the recreation.

Alonso, who was or else fantastic in his new purpose in the centre of Barcelona’s defence, then turned villain for Barça by stepping on Joselu in the spot knocking off his boot and provoking a penalty which the former Newcastle striker scored.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz despatched off two gamers, 1 from both aspect, in the 2nd 50 %

Jordi Alba (still left) was sent off immediately after being booked two times in the house of 4 minutes

Espanyol’s Vinicius Souza was also give his marching orders in the closing phases

Barça threw all the things at their battling neighbours but 24-yr-aged keeper Alvaro Fernandez pulled off two excellent second half saves to continue to keep them on conditions.

Initially he obtained down well to drive absent an Andreas Christensen header and then he blocked a shot from Lewandowski with his legs.

Lahoz intensified his card supplying in the next time period and when Alba spoke out of transform he was shown a next yellow and sent off.

‘He didn’t even know he had been revealed the initially yellow,’ mentioned Sergi Roberto soon after the game. This kind of was the chaos – that was plausible. It was shortly 10 against 9 when Lahoz sent off Cabrera for a knee in the again of Lewandowski and Souza for contesting the determination.

Lahoz was then suggested to look at the straight crimson and altered his head when he viewed the incident pitchside. It appeared fortuitous for Espanyol – at best it was a 2nd yellow for Cabrera who had put Gavi out of the sport with a foul in the initially interval.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez accused Mateu Lahoz of getting rid of management of the recreation

Cabrera stayed on and Espanyol performed out time.

‘Lahoz is a referee who controls video games nicely,’ explained Xavi immediately after the match. ‘But right now he missing regulate of the match.’ Barcelona will be joyful about heading into 2023 on top rated but they experienced not been convincing in opposition to a staff who have not crushed them considering the fact that 2009 in the league.

Espanyol’s hold out for a get from their neighbours goes on but they celebrated as if they had gained on the ultimate whistle as card-satisfied Lahoz was whistled off by residence supporters.