Hello everyone. Welcome to live text commentary of this Liga clash between Barcelona and Espanyol.

FT Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol. Four first half goals maintains Barca's 12 point La Liga lead as Espanyol's unbeaten run comes to an end.

Iniesta puts Messi through on goal, but Casilla is alert to the danger and comes out of his penalty area to make the clearance.

Alcantara falls down in a heap in the box. Shouts for a penalty but the referee isn't interested.

The corner comes to nothing but Barca maintain the attack through Sanchez, who touches the ball back to Iniesta, but the midfielder's shot is blocked.

Sanchez does well to force Barca's sixth corner of the match.

Alcantara is floored by Moreno, who is booked. That was a bad challenge, and Moreno can count himself lucky not to be dismissed. Both feet were off the ground. Rash.

Alba's dangerous cross from the left is met by Moreno.

Messi hits the bar! The world player of the year strikes the top of the bar with a sperb dipping free-kick.

Barca fans go nuts as Villa puts the ball in the net but, rather than play the advantage, the referee pulls play back for an earlier foul. Poor refereeing.

Huge chance for Espanyol! Pique's back pass is far too short and Albin nips in and goes clean through, but Valdes comes out and makes a very good save. Huge chance.

Lovely through ball by Villa to find Sanchez, but the Chilean can't get a shot away and Espanyol clear.

Espanyol sub: Albin on, Simao off.

Barca sub: Alexis Sanchez on, Pedro off.

Barca don't want to settle for 4-0, that is clear. Credit must go to Espanyol for tightening things up in the second half though.

Looked like the correct call this time.

Pedro has another goal disallowed. Alcantara picks out Alves on the right, Pedro steers in the Brazilian's first time cross - but Pedro is flagged offside.

Alba squeezes a low cross in from the left, but Casilla saves again at his near post.

Messi plays in Villa, who can't get the ball unstuck from under his feet as he stabs the ball towards the near post. Casilla makes the save.

Fabregas leaves to a standing ovation. The midfielder has put in a great shift tonight.

Barca sub: Villa on, Fabregas off.