Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga commentary of the weekend comes from Barcelona as the league leaders welcome a resurgent Espanyol side to the Nou Camp. Catalan boss Tito Vilanova continues to recover from surgery on a tumour, but it was reported earlier in the week that he had visited the training ground and he is indeed on the bench this evening. That tells you everything you need to know about the man. It goes without saying that everyone at Sports Mole wishes him a speedy recovery.

Espanyol, meanwhile, appeared to have turned a corner since appointing former Mexico boss Aguirre. They might have managed just one win in their four matches under him, but they are unbeaten and took a point from Real Madrid at the Bernabeu before the winter break. That is a huge turnaround for a side that had lost five of their previous six games.

Espanyol picked up a vital three points against relegation contenders Deportivo La Coruna last time out and they have kept two clean sheets in his four matches, having kept the same amount of shutouts in the fifteen games prior to the Mexican’s arrival. But it would probably be fair to state that not too many people are backing them to take something from this match.

All eyes will once more be on Lionel Messi this evening. He has scored seven goals in his last four matches in the league and will be keen to start 2013 with more goals as he attempts to break the 100-mark in the New Year. His side are also on a 16-match unbeaten run at the Nou Camp, winning 13 and drawing three.

TEAMS:

BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves, Puyol, Pique, Alba; Fabregas, Xavi, Busquets; Messi, Pedro, Iniesta

ESPANYOL: Casilla; Colotto, Moreno, Capdevila, Forlin; Simao, Verdu, Victor, Baena; Lopez, Garcia

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. In case you have just joined us this evening, Real Madrid were 4-3 winners over Real Sociedad in an incredible game in the Spanish capital. Barcelona get the action underway a couple of minutes later than expected.

The home side have taken control of the possession in the early stages as expected. They look relaxed after the winter break as they pass and probe with style. You get the feeling that it will be a long night for an Espanyol side that has won just once away from home this season.

Barcelona continue to switch the play from side to side with Alba and Alves playing as wide players in the early stages. The first effort of the match comes from Alves as the Brazilian fires a low cross into the penalty area, but Fabregas just cannot make contact and the danger is cleared.

Half-chance from the home side as Lionel Messi wins a free kick just outside the penalty area, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Xavi, but Pique cannot make contact with Capdevila using all his experience to shepherd the ball to safety. Nothing from the away side thus far.

Espanyol just cannot retain the ball at the moment as the home side continue to pin the relegation-threatened side in their own half. They are playing eight in defence as they continue to watch the ball move from side to side. Although we are still waiting for the first real chance of the match with eight minutes on the clock.

It may be a new year, but it is the same old Barcelona. It's wonderful football from the Catalan outfit as Messi finds Iniesta, who in turn spots the run of Xavi in the penalty area. The Spanish midfielder makes no mistake from close range. Wonderful.

How on earth do Espanyol get back into this match? They have hardly been out of their half thus far, but surely they cannot sit back and hope to keep the score down? Barcelona have got the first goal, which is always the hardest, from here you can only see one result. Vilanova looks relaxed on the sidelines as his side play their football.

CHANCE! It's delicious football from the home side as Pedro finds Fabregas in the area, the Spaniard in turn finds the run of Iniesta, but Casilla comes out to block his effort. They are the only team that could have found that space in such a tight area.

Another half-chance arrives as Alves strikes an effort from distance, but it was always moving wide of the target. Meanwhile, the away side continue to struggle to keep hold of possession. It is almost like a training match for the home side. Another goal and this could get really nasty for Espanyol.

I was going to say it had been 16 minutes and Messi had not scored. Something was seriously wrong with that. However, there does appear to be some controversy here with Pedro claiming a touch. We will bring you up-to-date with that one when it becomes known who scored. Wonderful football once more as Fabregas drives a low cross into the box and Messi fires home from close range.

The difference in quality between these two teams is just incredible. The fact that Espanyol took a point from Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago tells you everything you need to know about how well Barcelona are playing at the moment. This is not a league fixture, more an exhibition match.

UPDATE: It does appear that Pedro has been awarded the second goal of the evening. On close inspection, the Spaniard got the slightest of touches to Messi's strike across goal. So the long search for a Messi goal continues. Not.

Barcelona continue to utterly dominate this match as they force a couple of free kicks around the edge of the penalty area. However, the delivery is poor on both occasions as Casilla collects. The goalkeeper attempts to start an attack for his side, but they keep possession for maybe a couple of seconds.

A rare Espanyol attack brings a cheer as Sergio Garcia advances into the Barcelona penalty area, but he fires over the crossbar from inside the box. He really should have done better from that area. That is always the concern, Barcelona do give you chances.

Pedro had failed to score in his last 22 games previous to this match, but he adds his second of the evening as he collects a fine pass from Fabregas before chipping over the onrushing goalkeeper. That is finishing of the highest order.

PENALTY TO BARCELONA: The home side are awarded a penalty as Casilla fells Fabregas in the penalty area. Not a great deal of contact in the penalty area, but it was enough to send the former Arsenal midfielder to the ground. Messi will take.

Messi finally has his goal as he steps up to thump his effort into the bottom corner. Four goals inside the opening 30 minutes of football. This really could be anything. What will Real Madrid be thinking watching this match?

Espanyol attempt to attack down the other end with Simao, but the winger cannot gather possession and it drifts out of play. How do the away side possibly raise themselves for the remainder of this match? What is Plan B for Aguirre and his side? Barcelona are on full throttle here.

The away side keep hold of possession for all of 30 seconds as Garcia finds Baena in the final third, but his flick is poor and Pique brings the ball out of defence. The Spaniard finds Messi, but this time the Argentine cannot find Xavi. What a shock. I shall note that one down.

Another half-chance for Barcelona as Alba attempts to find the run of Iniesta down the left, but this time Moreno comes across to make the challenge. That is his first of the evening. Another attack comes down the left with Iniesta, but he cannot weave his way into the penalty area.

Espanyol manage to force the ball into the Barcelona penalty area with Lopez stabbing towards Garcia, but the striker cannot sort out his feet in time and Pique clears the danger. The home side are going through the motions at the moment. It is a shame that the match is over as a contest. In truth it was as soon as the second goal went in.

There is a strange atmosphere inside the stadium this evening as Barcelona continue to dominate possession with five minutes of the half remaining. Taking a quick look at the home side's defence, there is Villa, Song, Sanchez, Thiago, Montoya and Mascherano as the outfield players. Players that would walk into most other teams in world football.

Espanyol are just enjoying a spell of possession as we enter the final stages of the half. However, their only sight of goal remains that early chance from Garcia. They will be playing for pride in the second period and for their confidence you hope that it does not get a lot worse.

Barcelona continue to spread the play as Fabregas dances down the left, he finds Iniesta in the middle, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Xavi, but Casilla comes out to punch clear. Little over one minute of the half remaining. Not too much stoppage time predicted.

The statistics say that Barcelona have had 75% possession in the first period. In truth, I expected it to be much more. Another half-chance arrives as Busquets finds the run of Fabregas, but Colotto comes across to clear the danger.

So there we have it. Barcelona start 2013 in incredible fashion as they lead Espanyol 4-0 at the interval. A double from Pedro and goals from Messi and Xavi have down the damage to the away side. It has been as one-sided a match you will ever see.

Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Barcelona have dominated the possession with 80%, while they have managed eight attempts to Espanyol's two. The away side are also yet to hit the target, with the Catalan outfit scoring four of their five attempts on goal.

Looking ahead to the second period, it is likely that Barcelona will rest some players ahead of their cup match this week. David Villa and Alexis Sanchez are both in need of minutes and should see some action. For Espanyol, it will be purely damage limitation and they may attempt to go five at the back at the interval.

Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from Real Mallorca as they welcome second-placed Atletico Madrid. Be sure to stay with us for that one. In case you have just joined us, Levante were 3-1 winners over Real Valladolid earlier this afternoon, while Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-3 at the Bernabeu.

Here we go then. Both teams join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval. What will the second 45 minutes bring? Espanyol get the action underway on this mild evening in Barcelona. Cricket score anyone?!

Barcelona have only had four clean sheets in the league this season, therefore they have plenty to play for in the second period. They begin the second period as expected, with total domination of the ball. Some things never change.

Almost the perfect pass from Messi as the Argentine turns on the edge of the penalty area before slipping a ball towards Pedro, but Moreno was just out to block the danger at the vital moment. Not a great atmosphere inside the stadium this evening, but the match as a contest has long been finished.

Barcelona continue to push forward as Messi switches possession towards Iniesta. The Spanish midfielder collects before driving into the penalty area, but Casilla is out to clear. Just the one yellow card thus far in this match, with the Espanyol goalkeeper on the receiving end for the challenge on Fabregas in the first period.

Again it's Messi who causes problems to the Espanyol defence as he collects possession before driving to the edge of the penalty area, but Forlin steps out to clear the danger. The defender attempts to find Garcia down the other end, but Alba is quickly across to gather possession. Quickly being the main word. He is lightening.

I suppose the saving grace for Espanyol this evening is that they will not have long to travel home. Finally the second yellow card of the evening is handed to Baena as the midfielder chops Iniesta to the ground. It hasn't been that type of match, but it is threatening to boil over at the moment.

A mistake from Casilla comes close to handing Barcelona the fifth goal of the evening as he delays in the penalty area before striking straight at Pedro, but luckily it bounces behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Iniesta, but the danger is cleared.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and there is not a lot to report in terms of chances. Barcelona continue to dominate possession as they stroke the ball from side to side. A rare breakaway from the away side allows Garcia into the box, but Pique is quickly across to clear the danger.

The first change of the match is made by the away side as Alfonso replaces Baena, who had been booked. Another Barcelona attack comes close to forcing the fifth as Iniesta whips a dangerous cross into the box, but the danger is headed clear before Pique fires at Casilla moments later.

It's fantasy football once more as Barcelona pass and probe on the edge of the box before Fabregas attempts to find the run of Alves, but Colotto comes back to make the clearance. In truth, the second period has not been great in terms of chances. But it hasn't needed to be. The match has been over for some time now.

Meanwhile, Barcelona make their first change of the evening as Thiago replaces Xavi. This boy is a bit special. Espanyol also make another change as Verdu is replaced by Christian Stuani. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining in this match.

The home supporters are in good voice as they continue to enjoy their team's performance. The home side have the ball in the back of the net once more as Fabregas squares for Pedro to tap home, but the offside flag was raised. Meanwhile, Fabregas is replaced by David Villa.

It's decent football from the away side this time as Garcia combines with Lopez in the final third, but the return pass is poor and Valdes is out to gather the danger. That is about as mobile as he has been all evening. Not a great deal to report with 20 minutes of football remaining.

A wonderful flowing move comes close to bringing Barcelona's fifth as Villa collects a pass from Iniesta before dropping his shoulder in the box, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Casilla fires possession towards Victor, but Barcelona gather and restart their passing.

Barcelona have the ball in the back of the net once more as Pedro converts from close range, but once more the offside flag was raised. Terrible decision from the linesman with replays suggesting that the Spaniard was indeed level with the final defender. He should have had four this evening.

Pass, pass, pass. It is almost as if the second period has been on repeat. Espanyol have had no desire whatsoever to attack in this match, but they had to tighten in the second half. Barcelona make their third change of the evening as the impressive Pedro is replaced by Sanchez.

Thiago demonstrates wonderful feet in the middle of the pitch as he collects possession before attempting to find the run of Sanchez, but the offside flag is raised once more. Meanwhile, the away side make their final change as Albin replaces Simao, who has struggled this evening.

Another half-chance for the home side as Sanchez fires a low cross into the area towards Villa, but Moreno just comes out to clear the danger. In fairness to Espanyol they have defended well in the second period. Little under 10 minutes of football to play.

CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the away side to open their tally as Albin advances on goal following a mistake from Pique, but Valdes comes out to clear the danger. That is the sign of a top goalkeeper.

CROSSBAR! Messi comes within a whisker of adding his second of the match as he thumps a free kick from outside the box, but it smashes off the crossbar and behind for a goal kick. Stunning effort from the Argentine.

Barcelona come close once more as Thiago advances into the penalty area before firing a high cross into the box, but Moreno clears the danger. However, it is poor from the Espanyol defender moments later as he chops Thiago down in his prime. He may well have been sent off for that challenge.

Another half-chance arrives for the home side as Thiago combines with Iniesta on the edge of the box, but the final pass is poor and the danger is cleared by a combination of Capdevila and Moreno. Little over two minutes of normal time to play.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of added time at the end of the 90 and we are into the first of those. Another half-chance arrives as Messi strikes a powerful effort from close range, but once more Casilla gathers the danger.

FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-0 Espanyol

So there we have it. Barcelona sweep aside Espanyol to continue their sensational run of form in La Liga. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and remain with us for action from Mallorca. Until then!