Luis Suarez stated it felt as though it had been”two points dropped” following China striker Wu Lei denied Barcelona three points as Espanyol maintained a 2-2 draw at a pulsating city derby. Two minutes struck following Barcelona were reduced to ten men when Frenkie de Jong was sent off. When Arturo Vidal put them 2-1 up after Luis Suarez the champions appeared to expand their lead. The tide turned to a gripping game in RCDE Stadium, but when Dutch midfielder De Jong was ignored for another booking 15 minutes in the time and Wu took good advantage of Espanyol’s additional guy to make La Liga’s bottom club a prized point using a strong ending after 88 minutes. Barca still top the standings on goal difference after 19 matches but Real Madrid’s 3-0 triumph at Getafe before on Saturday allowed Zinedine Zidane’s side to move level on points with 40.”We did the toughest thing that’s to come from away from home and also take the lead, so it seems like two things fell,” Suarez said.”It is always harder with one player less than the competition starts to increase in confidence, however it isn’t an excuse. We’re the winners and we’re obliged to win each match so we will need to think of some solutions.”Ernesto Valverde’s side moved to their first game of the year while Espanyol were hoping under Abelardo Fernandez, their coach of the year and underside. Espanyol haven’t beaten their neighbours in the league because 2009 however they made a superb beginning and went ahead in the 23rd minute when defender Lopez escaped his marker. Barca appeared flat throughout the half of talisman Lionel Messi’s led effort on the stroke of half-time their opportunity. Ivan Rakitic was substituted by Valverde to the next half with Vidal and Barca were level as Suarez prodded in the cross of Jordi Alba.Suarez turned supplied to go home to put the traffic.De Jong received his second caution of the game after committing a foul that was naturally and from then on Barca found themselves. Wu of Espanyol came close to equalising when Barca goalkeeper Neto saved his header, but the Chinese got the better of this Brazilian to present his trainer Abelardo a debut against his former side.Valverde said the card has been the turning point of this game.”That which was in our favour, then we had been pumped out of shape,” he explained. “We feel awful since we needed all 3 factors.”
