Barcelona extended their club-record unbeaten run in the Derbi Barceloní to 25 matches as they returned to the La Liga summit, although they were held in a fiery 1-1 draw against Espanyol.It took just seven minutes for Barcelona to edge ahead of their struggling local rivals, as unconvincing marking from a corner allowed Marcos Alonso to meet Andreas Christensen’s header and nod home his first league goal for the Blaugrana. Xavi Hernández’s side kept creating chances, with Alonso unable to hit the target from the best of those after latching onto Jordi Alba’s cross. Brian Oliván then raced back superbly to block Raphinha’s shot after Los Periquitos had sloppily conceded possession.While the derby day intensity grew with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz flourishing four yellows in six minutes, Nico Melamed got into a dangerous position and threw a step over in an attempt to shake off Sergi Roberto, who was able to deflect his eventual shot wide. At the other end, Álvaro Fernández got just enough on Raphinha’s venomous strike to keep it out. There was concern for Barça shortly after halftime as Gavi went off with a back problem, and frustration soon followed for Robert Lewandowski as the frontman powered his header wide.73′: Espanyol equalise 🔵⚪️78′: Barcelona red card 🟥81′: Two Espanyol red cards (one rescinded) 🟥🍿 pic.twitter.com/ob74E5d1HG— LiveScore (@livescore) December 31, 2022 In an even game, Xavi switched both of his wingers with an hour gone, although Ferran Torres headed wide after Ousmane Dembélé had forced a corner. Having done well to stay in the game, Espanyol were awarded a penalty following Alonso’s clumsy challenge on Joselu, who picked himself up to coolly slot his spot kick down the middle. The match soon descended into chaos as Jordi Alba and Vinicius Souza were sent off while Leandro Cabrera’s red card was rescinded.As the football resumed following the madness, Fernández made fantastic saves to deny Christensen and Lewandowski, as Barça regained top spot on goal difference despite their five-match winning league run coming to an end. Meanwhile, Espanyol have lost just one of their last seven in all competitions and go a point ahead of the bottom three.LA LIGA – Matchday 15ThursdayGirona – Rayo Vallecano 2-2 (1-1)/Castellanos 34 pen, Saiz 75 pen – Camello 2, Palazon 62/Betis – Ath.Bilbao 0-0Atl.Madrid – Elche 2-0 (0-0)/Joao Felix 56, Morata 74/FridayGetafe – Mallorca 2-0 (0-0)/Mayoral 51, 78/Cadiz – Almeria 1-1 (0-1)/Perez 83 – Melero 40/Celta – Sevilla 1-1 (1-0)/Veiga 33 – Salas 54/Valladolid – Real Madrid 0-2 (0-0)/Benzema 83 pen, 89/SaturdayBarcelona – Espanyol 1-1 (1-0)/Alonso 7 – Joselu 73 pen/18.15: (1.95) Sociedad (3.45) Osasuna (4.40)18.15: (2.00) Villareal (3.50) Valencia (4.10)***odds are subject to change©FlashScore
