BARCELONA were held to a draw by local rivals Espanyol in a chaotic New Year’s Eve derby at the Nou Camp.
Marcos Alonso gave Barca the lead after seven minutes, however they were pegged back by a Joselu penalty.
Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba received a second yellow card in the final minutes, while Vinicius Souza was also dismissed for the visitors.
The referee also sent off Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera, although that was overturned by VAR.
Despite failing to win, Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Real Valladolid 2-0 on Friday.
On Saturday, Alonso nodded home from close range following a flick by defensive partner Andreas Christensen, but Barcelona missed several chances to extend their advantage.
They were made to pay with 17 minutes remaining when Alonso clipped Joselu in the penalty area, with the ex-Stoke and Newcastle striker picking himself up to slot the spot-kick down the middle.
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz – who officiated the chaotic Argentina versus Netherlands quarter-final at the 2022 World Cup – handed out a total of 16 yellow cards and two reds in this game.
In the other La Liga’s game of the day, Real Sociedad beat Osasina 2-0 and Villareal defeat Valencia 2-1.
