Wu Lei goal denies Barcelona victory in derbi barceloni as Frenkie de Jong red card proves costly at Espanyol

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Ben Hayward4 January 2020

Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw in the derby away to Espanyol on Saturday night after Frenkie de Jong was sent off.

The champions looked to be on course for a hard-fought comeback win after second-half goals from Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal, but a late strike from Wu Lei meant they had to settle for a point at the RCDE Stadium.

Barca had 75 per cent possession in the first half, but created little of note, with only Lionel Messi managing to get a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

And Ernesto Valverde’s side found themselves a goal down at the interval after David Lopez glanced a fine header past Neto from a corner midway through the half.

Valverde sent on Vidal at the break for Ivan Rakitic and the Chilean shook things up in the second half.

Espanyol celebrate Wu Lei's equaliser Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

But it was Suarez, who had hit the post late in the first period, who levelled for the Blaugrana as he met a Jordi Alba cross from the left with a fine first-time finish which beat Diego Lopez at his near post.

That was after 50 minutes and eight minutes later, Barca took the lead as Suarez crossed from the left and Vidal powered in a header at the far post, with Diego Lopez unable to keep it out despite getting a touch.

Barcelona looked to be in control at that point, but things changed when De Jong was sent off for a second bookable offence after pulling Jonathan Calleri’s shirt.

De Jong was sent off with Barcelona leading 2-1 Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

Valverde's side needed to hang on for the final 15 minutes and it was a frantic finale with opportunities at both ends.

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Suarez hit the side netting at one end in a miss that would prove costly as Wu Lei, who had seen a fine header saved by Neto not long after coming on, drilled a low shot past the Brazilian from a tight angle with two minutes left to seal a valuable point for Espanyol.

Substitute Arturo Vidal looked set to be an unlikely hero on derby day Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Despite the draw, Barca are top of LaLiga on goal difference from Real Madrid at the halfway stage, while Espanyol remain bottom after 19 games, but will gain confidence from a morale-boosting result against their city rivals.

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