Alonso scores and concedes penalty in Barca draw | Real Sociedad go third

Barcelona's lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga evaporated on after they were held to a 1-1 home draw in an ill-tempered clash with local rivals Espanyol.

Real Madrid had taken top spot on Friday with a 2-0 win at Real Valladolid, putting pressure on Barcelona to respond against an Espanyol side battling to avoid relegation.

Defender Marcos Alonso put Barcelona in front at the Nou Camp, before Joselu converted a second-half penalty to level the game.

Barcelona started strongly, with Gavi stinging the palms of Espanyol goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez in the sixth minute, shortly before Alonso glanced a header into the net following a corner.

After going ahead, Xavi Hernandez's side dominated possession with their slick passing for the rest of the first half, but struggled to convert any of the numerous goal-scoring chances that fell their way.

They kept up the pressure after the break, but all their good work came undone as Alonso turned from hero to zero, giving away a penalty following a clumsy foul on Joselu.

Joselu picked himself up to convert the spot-kick, calmly rolling it straight down the middle to make it 1-1 in the 73rd minute.

Comments