La Liga: De Jong's Late Header Salvages Point For Barca Against Espanyol

Barcelona managed to get a point at RCDE Stadium against Espanyol in the Catalonia derby on Sunday as super-sub Luuk De Jong headed in a late goal to salvage a 2-2 draw for Xavi Hernandez's side and keep their top 4 spot on La Liga standings.

Barca entered the game as a favourite off the back of an emphatic 4-2 win against Atletico Madrid as they opened the scoring chart with just 2 minutes played.

Pedri connected to Jordi Alba's cross as the 19-year old midfielder slide in the ball to give Barcelona the first goal. Xavi's side could not develop on the goal -- until Espanyol responded in the 42 minutes with a curler from Sergi Dander which sent Marc Ter Stegen flying but could not reach it.

After the halftime interval, Espanyol grabbed the lead through Dander who turned created as he sent a lofted pass over substitute Eric Garcia to find Raul de Tomas alone with the keeper. He rounded it off in style.

In search of a goal, Barca turned attention to outcast Ousmane Dembele but his pacey dribbles and runs were thwarted by a more determined Espanyol side.

Gerard Pique was dismissed alongside Nico Melamed with a red card after an initial yellow card for the two players while Villarreal loanee at Espanyol Manu Morlanes was also sent off for dissent on the sideline.

The host looked set to win their first match against Barcelona since 2006-07 season but a cross from Adama Traore found late substitute De Jong as the Dutch forward buried the ball into the net, Diego Lopez tried to save it but his outstretched hand was not enough to prevent Barca from scoring.

Barca are level with Atletico Madrid at 39 points but lead on goal difference. Real Betis lead with 4 points on third while Sevilla, Real Madrid are 50, 54 points at the top.

Next up for Barcelona is Serie A side Napoli for the Europa League.