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OptaJose:, external Sergio Garcia is the first Espanyol player to score against Barça at the Camp Nou in La Liga since De la Pena in 2009.

OptaJose:, external 7 - Lionel Messi has hit the woodwork more times than any other player in La Liga this season (Karim Benzema, 4). Misfortune.

But I suspect that won't drastically improve the mood inside the Barca dressing room as they tuck into their half-time oranges. Luis Enrique's men have been poor and they can't afford to drop points against an Espanyol side loitering in the bottom half.

I said Barcelona needed some Lionel Messi magic - and it has arrived! The Argentine superstar creates a yard of space for himself on the edge of the Espanyol box with a neat touch from Xavi's pass.

Then, in the blink of an eye, he curls the ball around an away defender into the tightest place possible - the bottom right corner of Kiko Casilla's net. Stunning stuff.

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Oh my word. It could, should, have been a second Espanyol goal. Barcelona are all over the place at the back as away midfielder Victor Sanchez strolls in behind Dani Alves. His first touch is a little heavy though, allowing home keeper Claudio Bravo to rush out of his goalmouth to boot clear. Big let off.

Five minutes for Barcelona to go into the break level. Even if they nab an equaliser then I'm sure it won't stop Luis Enrique dishing out the hairdryer treatment.

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It's not quite the Battle of Alamo yet, but momentum is building for the home side. Left-back Jordi Alba ghosts in at the far post, forcing Espanyol keeper Kiko Casillas into a smart stop.

And right on cue, here is Luis Suarez. But the Uruguayan cannot put some dirt on Kiko Casilla's gloves, firing wide of the target.

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leeban:, external Suarez on the wing is ridiculous he can really do damage playing centrally

Barcelona need some Messi magic. He drops the right shoulder, steps on the gas, jinks past a Espanyol defender, but is crowded out by a stretching Eric Bailly as he is about to pull the trigger. Top defending.

Another Barca chance - but this one is more comfortable for Kiko Casilla. Barca defender Gerard Pique jumps highest to meet Ivan Rakitic's right-wing corner, only to head straight at the Espanyol stopper.

Almost! Lionel Messi stands menacingly over a 20-yard free-kick which the Barca talisman caresses over the nervous-looking Espanyol wall. Visiting keeper Kiko Casilla is stranded...but the crossbar comes to his rescue. It is still shaking now.

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Now it's Espanyol who look likeliest to score the second of the evening. Away goalscorer Sergio Garcia is stood in acres of space at the far post, but his shot lacks power and is easily gathered by Barca keeper Claudio Bravo. Turning point?

Lionel Messi - have we mentioned him yet? I don't think so. That's because we have hardly seen him. Now the Argentine pops up, pulling the strings from deep, before Espanyol hack away another poor Barcelona cross.

This is like Groundhog Day at the moment.

Barcelona have possession. Barcelona misplace a pass. Espanyol boot clear. Barcelona start again. Repeat.

Jordi Alba's fizzing cross from the left is Barcelona's latest opening. But there is not a red and blue striped shirt in the six-yard box to nudge in the equaliser.

Spanish football writer Andy West:, external You can't draw any meaningful conclusions from 15 minutes of football but this has been a spectacularly abysmal 15 minutes from Barca.

DeathApeDisco:, external Barca at the point with Xavi Man Utd reached with Keane, Liverpool with Gerrard. Great player, but shouldn't play this much.

Here's an opening as Barca finally show some urgency. Sergio Busquets pops up on the right side of the Espanyol area and pulls back to Xavi on the edge. But the Barca captain miscues his first-time shot and skies over the crossbar. Cue the sound of jeers ringing in his ears.

All pretty predictable from Barcelona though. The home side pass, pass and pass. Switching the ball from side to side as they aim to pick a hole in the Espanyol defence. But the visitors have 10 men behind the ball, sometimes 11, at every opportunity. No way through yet.

Sergio Busquets looks distraught. Not the start he envisaged to his 300th appearance as he slept last night.

Back come Barca, hogging possession and territory since the restart. The words 'red rag' and 'bull 'spring to mind.

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Well, well, well. The Nou Camp falls silent. Espanyol score against Barcelona - for the first time since January 2012!

And it was dreadful defending from Barcelona. Sergio Busquets - in his 300th Barca appearance - is easily dispossessed on the left touchline leaving Espanyol bearing down on the home goal in a 2v2 attack. But Sergio Garcia (not the golfer) goes all alone and rolls into the bottom left corner.

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