Rampant Barca lead the way in Spain

Phil Seery

Barcelona will begin 2011 as favourites to retain the Spanish league title after ending this year with an emphatic 5-1 drubbing of city rivals Espanyol on Saturday to stay two points clear of Real Madrid going into the two-week Christmas break.

Barcelona have scored 26 goals in their last five league matches, including the extraordinary 5-0 mauling of Real at Camp Nou, winning ten successive league matches to make it 43 points from a possible 48, three points more than at this stage last season when they went on to set a record 99 points.

Espanyol had a perfect home record prior to the game and had only conceded two goals at the Cornella-El Prat, but Spanish World Cup winners Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa both grabbed braces in a one-sided Catalan derby.

"They had only conceded two goals at home before this game," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. ``Espanyol are at the top and it is not by coincidence.

"It is a great night for us, not just because we beat a local rival but also because we have beaten a great team. It is not a coincidence that we have struggled at this ground in recent years.

"My team never cease to surprise me. You see how they prepare for the games. They are great players and have the mental calmness that they have done a lot in football."

Barcelona maintained their perfect away record of eight wins with the Espanyol rout and it was a particularly special night for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

He was given a standing ovation by the home crowd that remembered his touching World Cup final tribute to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque - who died of a heart attack on August 8, 2009, at the age of 26.

MADRID, Monday (AFP)