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FC Barcelona - Espanyol: Kings of football! (4-0) | FC Barcelona
The game could easily have ended with an even bigger winning margin, with Pedro having two goals disallowed and Messi hitting the woodwork, but the win means that Barça have now equalled the record for the best ever first half to a season with one game still to go. It was the Night of Kings and Barça duly put in another majestic performance to confirm their top spot in the table.
FC Barcelona’s standout players against Espanyol: Pedro, Cesc, Iniesta and Jordi Alba | FC Barcelona
The Spanish forward, who is back to his goalscoring ways, netted two very different types of goals against Espanyol. His first goal came from a fantastic play started by Cesc on the end line which was subtly finished off by Pedro with a clever touch past Casilla. In his second goal, Pedro rushed on to a sublime pass from Busquets to chip Espanyol’s sprawled keeper.
Pedro: "This victory is for Tito" | FC Barcelona
Pedro Rodríguez was one of the standout players in Barça’s 4-0 rout of Espanyol this evening. The forward scored two of his team’s four goals before the 30-minute mark, and he had two more goals waved off by the referee in the second half.
Rosell: "Tito has shown great physical and mental strength" | FC Barcelona
"He’s proving that it’s possible to fight against these types of diseases. He’s shown great mental and physical strength," said President Sandro Rosell to Barça TV. The FC Barcelona president noted that "the doctors authorised him to be here tonight and we’ll have to see how he feels after the match. He’s very eager to lead the team and as long as the doctors allow him, he’ll carry the flag of the Club."
Tito Vilanova: "I feel protected by the Club" | FC Barcelona
"I feel very supported and protected by the Club. I want to thank my staff and the players. This group has had too many close calls and I think it will help us, this situation keeps our feet on the ground because we are no different from anyone else," said the manager.
Everything in place for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona will be well represented at the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday. Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta will be the main focus of attention at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, as both Barça players are in the running for Ballon d’Or along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Road to the Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi - Goal.com
The Argentine's performances are beginning to place him in the indescribable category, with media outlets running out of superlatives to convey his exploits in words. Just when you think Messi's reached a barrier, he breaks through it.
Road to the Ballon d'Or: Andres Iniesta - Goal.com
It has been a long and complicated journey for Andres Iniesta, from when he first arrived at la Masia from his home province of Albacete at the age of 12 in 1996, to contesting the Ballon d'Or award for the second time with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo 17 years later.
FC Barcelona takes center stage in Zurich | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona is the team with the most players nominated for the awards that will be given out at the Kongresshaus in Zurich this evening. Among the accolades is the FIFA Ballon d’Or, the award reserved for the best player in the world. Leo Messi and Andrés Iniesta are on the three-man shortlist for the award, Cristiano Ronaldo is also in the running for the distinction.
FC Barcelona equal best ever first half of season | FC Barcelona
In 2010/11, FCB under Josep Guardiola got an incredible 52 points in the first half of the season. It seemed unlikely that we’d ever see a team get off to such a commanding start again, yet under Tito Vilanova, Barça have once again reached that mark after beating Espanyol, and still have one more game to go before the halfway stage.
Cesc: "if the team keep playing like this, there is no end to what we can do" | FC Barcelona
Cesc Fàbregas was back in the starting line up for the game against Espanyol – the first time he’s figured since his injury against Betis on December 9th and speaking to the Barça TV programme "El Marcador" on Sunday night he revealed that he’d worked hard to make it back for the derby.
Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-3 in thriller - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
For the second game in a row Jose Mourinho courted controversy by dropping captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas to the bench, but the Spain international was soon in action after Adan was shown a straight red card for bringing down Carlos Vela in the area on six minutes.
Mourinho defiant after dropping Casillas again - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
"If they whistle me for leaving Iker on the bench, fine, and if they whistle me for poor performances, that's ok by me," Mourinho told a post-match news conference when asked about the crowd's reaction. "I don't want to be a hero all the time, independent of my performances."
Mallorca sneak late leveller | ESPNFC.com
Atletico Madrid lost ground on Primera Division leaders Barcelona as Kevin Garcia popped up with an equaliser three minutes from time to snatch a point for Real Mallorca in a 1-1 draw at Iberostar Stadium. The visitors were without striker Radamel Falcao due to suspension and their lack of threat showed in a poor first period.
Assuncao set for Depor | Football Espana
Deportivo are set to complete the capture of former Atletico Madrid midfielder Paulo Assuncao this Monday. The Brazilian footballer, who spent four years in the Spanish capital up until last summer, is set for a quick return to La Liga to aid struggling Depor’s fight against relegation.