Messi double eases Barca past nine-man Espanyol

Lionel Messi equalised four minutes after ex-Man City forward Felipe Caicedo had put the visitors ahead. “We have Global Positioning System data from their training sessions that shows that they are perfectly capable of playing the full 90 minutes”, he said.

“The other day the referee allowed it but this time he didn’t and it was easier for us to play our football”.

Arda Turan, who was making his Barcelona debut after being cleared to represent the Catalan side, looked bright in the early moments and set up a half-chance for Neymar inside five minutes, but the Brazilian headed wide, before Sergio Busquets missed the target with a header from the resulting corner. But with Andres Iniesta in fine form, Turan fitting into the creative midfield neatly, and Messi always lurking it was never going to Espanyol’s night.

Barcelona eventually added a fourth goal in the 88th minute, as Neymar added his name to the score-sheet with a volley from close range, after collecting a pass from Messi.

Also, it’s: Rayo Vallecano vs. Atletico Madrid; Real Betis vs. Sevilla; Valencia vs. Granada; and Mirandes vs. Deportivo La Coruna.

However, Messi was lucky to escape without being seriously injured after being violently stamped on by Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez without any action taken by the officials before Hernan Perez and Papakouli Diop were dismissed.

Negredo has been given a new lease of life under coach Gary Neville and the win was a confidence boost for Valencia who have yet to pick up a victory in La Liga under the former Manchester United and England player.

Second half goals from Inaki Williams, Aritz Aduriz and Aymeric Laporte earlier saw Athletic Bilbao come from behind to beat high-flying Villarreal 3-2.

Villarreal scored twice on counterattacks, finished off by Leo Baptistao and Samuel Garcia, to build its halftime lead at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.

Williams led the comeback with a 53rd-minute strike and found Aduriz who scored from the centre of the penalty area.