BARCELONA, Jan 9: Struggling La Liga side Espanyol have signed striker Raul de Tomas from Benfica for a reported 22 million euros (18.74 million pounds), smashing their transfer record in a bid to avoid relegation.

BARCELONA, Jan 2: La Liga leaders Barcelona will be looking to preserve their two-point lead over Real Madrid when they visit local rivals Espanyol on Saturday but their preparations have been hit by a legal battle with their own midfielder Arturo Vidal.

MADRID, Dec 9: Lionel Messi scored two spectacular free kicks as Barcelona thrashed local rivals Espanyol 4-0 in Saturday’s Catalan derby to move three points clear at the top of La Liga.

BARCELONA, Feb 5: Atletico Madrid closed the gap on Barcelona to nine points at the top of La Liga, beating Valencia 1-0 on Sunday after the leaders had dropped points at local rivals Espanyol.

BARCELONA, Jan 18:  Lionel Messi had a penalty saved as triple King’s Cup holders Barcelona suffered a surprise 1-0 loss at city rivals Espanyol in a quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, ending an unbeaten run of 29 games in all competitions.