Wu denies Barcelona derby win

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong was sent off and Espanyol’s Wu struck two minutes from time. The holder had looked on course for victory when Arturo Vidal put it ahead in the 59th minute. Luis Suarez scored early in the second period to cancel out David Lopez’s first half header for Espanyol.

Ernesto Valverde’s side had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men after De Jong was dismissed for a second booking and substitute Wu took advantage with a powerful finish. Barcelona (40 points) still tops the standings on goal difference after 19 games but is level on points with second-placed Real Madrid, which beat Getafe 3-0.

Valverde’s team went into its first match of the new year top of the table while Espanyol was bottom, hoping for a new lease of life in its first game under Abelardo Fernandez, its third manager of the season.

But, Espanyol went ahead in the 23rd minute when defender Lopez escaped his marker to nod home Marc Roca’s free-kick. Barcelona did not create its first clear chance until Lionel Messi headed a cross into the arms of Diego Lopez towards the end of the first half, while Suarez smacked a post moments later.

Valverde replaced midfielder Ivan Rakitic with Vidal at the start of the second period. Barcelona soon levelled when Suarez prodded Jordi Alba’s cross into the near bottom corner. The Uruguayan then turned provider, finding Vidal’s head with a stylish cross.

The away side side looked intent on killing its opponent off but a mistake from Dutchman De Jong made him panic and commit a foul, which led to his second booking.

As a result of the red card, the defending champion was suddenly on the back foot. Espanyol’s Wu came close to equalising when his header was saved by Barcelona’s stand-in goalkeeper Neto.

But the Chinese forward soon got the better of the Brazilian to give his coach Abelardo a memorable debut against his former side. In another contest, third-placed Atletico Madrid (35 points) defeated Levante 2-1.