Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: Report, result and goals as Olmo and Lewandowski settle Catalan derby

Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski were the heroes for Barcelona as they prevailed 2-0 in the Catalan derby at Espanyol.

Espanyol had won their last five LaLiga matches prior to the winter break, which Barca approached with a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table.

The home side’s form and the return of Joan Garcia to the club he left for Barcelona in the summer made for a fierce atmosphere at the Cornella El-Prat.

It was the excellent performance of Garcia that prevented Espanyol from taking the lead as they had the better of the game for long periods.

And Espanyol were punished for failing to get the better of Garcia, Olmo bending home a sublime 86th-minute strike into the top-right corner.

Lewandowski then made the points safe, turning home a deflected effort in the 90th minute after excellent work on the break from Fermin Lopez.

Garcia comes back to haunt Espanyol

Garcia made his first of several key saves in the 22nd minute when he thwarted Roberto Fernández after the Espanyol striker had been sent through on goal by Edu Exposito.

Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres went close in response for Barca, but they were grateful to Garcia again as he produced a superb fingertip save to tip a Fernandez header onto the crossbar.

Marko Dmitrovic displayed his reactions to deny Jules Kounde at the back post 10 minutes into the second half, yet it was Garcia who continued to be by far the busier goalkeeper and he produced heroics to prevent Fernandez from rounding him and tapping Espanyol into the lead.

Barcelona late show wins it

There was more frustration for Fernandez when he finally beat Garcia, only to see Kounde clear off the line, before Dmitrovic came to the rescue to prevent Eric Garcia from giving Barca the advantage.

Garcia was at full stretch again as he turned a Carlos Romero behind, and his incredible efforts were rewarded when Olmo marked his return from injury in style.

That stunning strike knocked the wind out of Espanyol’s sails, and the game was up four minutes later when Lewandowski piled on the pain for the hosts, sending Barca seven clear of Real Madrid ahead of their meeting with Real Betis on Sunday.