Espanyol 0 - Barcelona 1

Espanyol: Kameni; Ibarra, Lopo, Pochettino, David García; Morales (Alex Fernández 61'), Ito; Maxi (Amavisca 61'), De la Peña, Oscar Serrano (Corominas 75'); Tamudo. 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Oleguer, Puyol, Gio Van Bronckhorst; Xavi, Márquez, Deco (Messi 83'); Ronaldinho; Larsson, Eto'o (Iniesta 67'). 4-3-1-2.

Team changes: Espanyol: Morales for Alex Fernández / Barcelona: Oleguer for Giuly.

Goals: 0-1.
09. Deco. Struck shot from outside area which took deflection off Morales. .

Leaders Barcelona equalled their best ever start to a season after beating city rivals Espanyol 0-1 in the Montjuic stadium on Saturday night. Injuries had left Frank Rijkaard with only 13 fit players, and he was forced to draft five B team youngsters into his squad, including 17 year old Leo Messi who made his official first team debut late in the second half. Lotina only had to make one change though, Morales coming in for Alex as Dani had not recovered from a knock in time to play against his old side.

The first shot of the game came from Tamudo, but it was Deco who put the visitors ahead soon afterwards, his long shot taking a deflection off the boot of Morales and flying over the head of Kameni. Víctor Valdés had to be at his best a few minutes later though to turn De la Peña's free kick away for a corner, and the ex Barça and Lazio midfielder tested the keeper again later in the first half. But Belletti brought a good save out of Kameni at the other end, and Eto'o should have wrapped things up immediately after the restart when he got free in front of his fellow countryman but could only lob the ball over the bar.

The action continued into the second half, Ronaldinho shooting wide across goal and Van Bronckhorst hitting the crossbar from a free kick for the visitors, and substitute Corominas poking a shot against the post for the home side after winning the ball away from the grip of Valdés with both lying on the ground. In the end though it was Rijkaard's side which won the day, leaving Espanyol out of the top six by the close of play.