\n
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) \u2014 Goalkeeper Joao Garc\u00eda braved jeers and vitriol to return to Espanyol and Barcelona teammate Fermin L\u00f3pez scored two late goals in a heated Catalunya derby on Saturday for a 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n
Fermin provided assists for substitutes Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski in the 86th and 90th minutes, tilting the game in favor of the La Liga leaders.<\/p>\n
However, the credit for the victory went to Garcia, who made some spectacular saves to thwart Espanyol’s attack, which had dominated all but the final period.<\/p>\n
The final score overshadowed a great shot by Espanyol in fifth place. Pere Mila and Roberto Fern\u00e1ndez pulled out save after save by Garcia. Garc\u00eda played his first game for Espanyol since leaving the Incos for top rivals last summer. His highlight came in the 39th, when Garcia made a reflexive one-handed save to tip Mira’s close-range header over the crossbar.<\/p>\n
Espanyol went so far as to install a thin mesh barrier behind the goal at the RCDE Stadium to prevent objects being thrown at the goalkeeper from the stands. Still, that didn’t deter the club’s most ardent young supporters from holding up placards with pictures of rats in Barcelona’s burgundy and blue colors and shouting at Garcia, a former fan favorite.<\/p>\n
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said: “Espanyol played a great game. We didn’t deserve it.” \u201cI have to thank Joao Garcia. He had an incredible game. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he brought players off the bench who showed the quality this team has.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flick also praised Espanyol coach Manolo Gonz\u00e1lez for giving Garcia the “confidence” to improve last season, when he attracted the attention of many of Europe’s top clubs.<\/p>\n
“(Garcia) is playing for us now and he’s been unbelievable all season. He played great and the clean sheet today was his responsibility.”<\/p>\n
Olmo put Barcelona through by flicking Fermin’s pass over Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dimitrovic with a smooth touch. Fermin then dribbled past his marker inside the right side of the box and replaced Lewandowski to deliver the final blow to Espanyol.<\/p>\n
Until Barcelona exploded in the second half, the action was mostly in Garcia’s box, making three stops to turn Roberto back in the second half.<\/p>\n
The loss ended Espanyol’s five-game winning streak, their best streak since the 1998-99 season.<\/p>\n
“Today was the day we should have won, but we let it slip away,” said Espanyol’s Gonz\u00e1lez.<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s next game will be a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup with Madrid, Atl\u00e9tico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao from January 7th to 11th.<\/p>\n
Villarreal wins, Valencia loses<\/h2>\n
Barcelona extended their lead over second-placed Real Madrid to seven points before hosting Real Betis on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Villarreal defeated Elche 3-1, ending a three-game losing streak in La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey. The away win kept Villarreal in third place, 11 points behind Barcelona.<\/p>\n
It was Elche’s first home loss since returning to the top league this season with a surprisingly strong style.<\/p>\n
Borja Iglesias scored twice as Celta Vigo defeated Valencia 4-1 at home, leaving the visitors on the brink of the relegation zone with just one win in 13 matchdays.<\/p>\n
Valencia’s coach Carlos Corberan said, “The numbers say it all.”<\/p>\n
Athletic Bilbao also drew 1-1 with Osasuna.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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