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Madrid now 5-point up as Barca held to draw

Comment: 0 January 9th, 2012 by: admin

SEEING Barcelona getting derailed in their bid to play catch-up is always a welcome development for Real Madrid.

Hotly chased by the Catalans in the La Liga, the Los Blancos suddenly found themselves holding a “more breathable’’ 5-point cushion, thanks to Espanyol.

Alvaro Vazquez hit a late equaliser as Espanyol forced a 1-1 draw against Barca in their Catalan derby on Sunday, halting the defending champions’ drive to stay close with their arch nemesis.

With the stalemate, Barca are now with 38 points while Real Madrid upped their tally to 43 after demolishing Granada 5-1 on Saturday. Espanyol improved to 24 points, the same as Sevilla’s output.

Valencia hold third spot with 34 as they fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 standoff at Villarreal, also on Sunday.

Despite his side’s failure to get the full three points away, Barca boss Pep Guardiola said the league is not over and does not believe they let a significant part of it slip away from them.

“We have a very strong rival [Real Madrid] ahead of us but there are still a lot of very tough stadiums to visit,’’ added Guardiola, whose men are targeting a fourth straight La Liga crown.

Cesc Fabregas took the spotlight for Barca, shoving them ahead in the 16^th minute at the nippy Cornella-El Prat Stadium to raise his goal tally this season to nine.

With Lionel Messi unable to deliver, Espanyol gamely held the visitors to one goal before substitute Vazquez came up with the match-tying header in the 86^th.

Stung by that goal, Barca tried to look for the winner but failed. Gerard Pique drove a shot against the crossbar, while a Pedro attempt was cleared off the line.

“All we can do now is look at ourselves, continue doing things we are doing well and improve those we are not,’’ added Guardiola, who fielded in the same squad that dealt a 3-1 loss to hosts Real Madrid last month.

Messi, tipped to win his third straight World Player of the Year on Monday, was hardly a factor in the game, his best effort bouncing off the post in the 77^th minute. He was also booked for handling in the 13^th after dispossessing Cristian Alvarez and then feeding Fabregas for a goal that was nullified.

The tie was Barca’s fourth in eight away matches this season.

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