Good afternoon and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Liga clash between Barcelona and Espanyol. We'll bring you all the action as it happens at Camp Nou. Kick off is at 3.15pm GMT.

Barcelona's grip on the Liga title race tightens further. Valverde will face some questions over the first half performance of his side, but they had too much quality for a well drilled Espanyol side, who will be disappointed to be leaving Camp Nou with nothing to show for their efforts.

FULL TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol

This hasn't been a vintage performance from Barcelona, but it will be enough to take them 13 points clear at the top of the Liga table. Messi has, not for the first time, dug them out a hole.

Messi will make the back pages tomorrow, but the goal was created by Malcom. The Brazilian has changed the game since coming off the bench. Why hasn't he had more opportunities this season?

Four minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the match.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Barcelona 2 (89 mins - Lionel Messi) Espanyol 0. There's the second goal for Barcelona, the second goal for Messi and three points in the bag! Malcom burst down the left side, took his time to make the pass, picked out Messi, who guided a left-footed shot underneath Lopez and into the back of the net.

Another Espanyol player enters the referee's book.

Almost a Ter Stegen gaffe! What a mistake that would have been from the Barcelona goalkeeper. He dithered on the ball and then cleared straight at Wu Lei. It bounced kindly, though. A heart in mouth moment.

A Wu Lei goal at this stage would be huge. This game is on PPV in China. They have billed it as Messi v Wu Lei... and then the Chinese striker didn't even start the game for Espanyol.

Barcelona can't afford to take their lead for granted. There's still only one goal in it and Espanyol have made a number of attacking changes since conceding that opener from Messi's freekick.

Espanyol make another change. Semedo comes on. Can he make an impact in the final 10 minutes?

PICTURE: Messi breaks the deadlock for Barcelona.

This result, should it hold, will send Barcelona 13 points clear at the top of the Liga table until Atletico Madrid's game later this evening. That is quite the commanding lead for the Catalans.

Granero picks up a booking as the frustration builds in the Espanyol team.

Barcelona have wind in their sails now. Espanyol have been well drilled all afternoon, but all of a sudden they have the look of a beaten team. Will they step out at any point?

Sent over by Messi! Barcelona now have the scent of a second goal. Messi took a first time shot after being played the pass down the left wing, but his angles were all wrong and he sends over.