Player Ratings: Espanyol 1-1 Barcelona

Awful pass straight to Messi which he only got away with because the Argentine handled before squaring for Fabregas, then put off Sanchez when the Chilean was bearing down on goal. Should have done better as Fabregas headed Barca in front. Came out well to cut out a dangerous ball from Sanchez in second half. Went off injured late on.

Shocking pass back let in Sanchez early on and he was extremely lucky as Cristian stood his ground. Drilled a low shot wide late in the first period. Made a fantastic block from Pedro late on and set up Espanyol equalizer with a fantastic cross five minutes from time. Lucky not to give away a penalty as he handled Pedro's shot right at the end but could have had a winner himself as he headed onto the roof of the net in the dying seconds.

Found it difficult early on as Messi and Fabregas linked up well, but looked better as the game wore on and is improving under the tutelage of coach Mauricio Pochettino, himself a fine central defender for Espanyol.

Struggled to cope with Barca's brilliance early on but grew in confidence alongside Amat and gave Messi his quietest game in some time. Failed to make good enough contact when presented with a good chance in second period.

Put in a lot of work in central midfield and won a lot of balls as Espanyol worked tirelessly to contain its illustrious visitor.

Stood off Alves as the Brazilian crossed to set up Fabregas for the first, but dealt quite well with the former Sevilla man all in all. Lively going forward as well for an Espanyol side which pushed back Barca for spells in both halves. One fine run and cross cut out by Valdes early in second period.

Started off and almost finished a fantastic counterattack early on when his header was saved on the line by Valdes and follow up hacked clear by Pique. Then blasted well over the bar midway through the first half. Advanced into the area late in the half but dallied and was charged down by the Barca defense when he should have shot. Off target with decent left-footed effort early in first half. A positive display.

Showed some good touches early on and participated in the counterattack from which Espanyol almost leveled early on. Unlucky not to win a free kick outside the box after 18 minutes, but faded after that and was replaced.

Excellent cross to set up Verdu at the far post early on as Espanyol was denied. Tested Valdes with a stinging effort just after Barca's opener. Saw a shot blocked by Puyol late in the first half. Linked up well with his colleagues but lacked a killer instinct.

Found himself in a great position on the left of the area after 25 minutes but hesitated and allowed Abidal to block when he should have at the very least tested Valdes, Unfortunate to be penalized when he won the ball off Puyol in the area in the second half. Flicked on for Alvaro to head the winner.

Made a vital save early on as he pushed out Verdu's goal bound header underneath his upright. Then produced another decent save to repel Sergio Garcia's stinging effort later on and remained alert throughout. Could do nothing about the goal.

Set up Fabregas' goal with an excellent curling cross but carelessly lost the ball on the edge of his box short of half-hour mark and that could have cost Barca. Positive going forward but not always so convincing at the back.

Did brilliantly to clear Verdu's shot off the line after Valdes had saved from the Espanyol midfielder early on. Almost scored a late winner as he smashed a shot against the post in the closing stages. Got away with a fumbled clearance at the death.

His usual committed self in the Barca defense, but was lucky to get the call when he was dispossessed by Thievy in the box and lost Alvaro as the Espanyol sub made it 1-1. Did make a fine block to deny Sergio Garcia late in the first half.

Made a good interception in the opening minutes and a key block later in the half to repel Thievy's fierce effort when the Espanyol attacker looked set to score. Generally solid, but not able to get forward as much as he would have liked.

Thought he had given Barca the lead when he tapped home Messi's ball early on, but the Argentine had handled. Headed his side in front after that as he made powerful contact with Alves' cross. Also turned with no angle and hit the post late in first half and was probably Barca's best player on the night.

Brought some cool and calm to the Barca midfield when the visitors looked to slow the game down in both halves, but didn't look entirely comfortable up against Espanyol's high-tempo game.

Made a number of key blocks and interventions but could have done with more help as Espanyol caused Barca problems on the break. Tidy in possession and disciplined positionally but offered little in an attacking sense.

Linked up well with Iniesta and almost set up the midfielder with a deep cross early on. Failed to control shortly afterwards when all alone in the box. Saw another second half effort saved by Cristian and the keeper also cut out his dangerous ball late on. Replaced by Pedro.

Penalized for handball when he was gifted ball by Cristian and squared for Fabregas to roll into the empty net early on. Wasn't himself and lost a lot of balls, but still hit the post in the second half from a tight angle. Failed to control when all alone and clean through in the final minute. Likely to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday, but this wasn't the best example of his talents.