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Barcelona within 1 point of 3rd straight title

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-09 10:02

Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates his goal with his team mate Lionel Messi (L) against Espanyol during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona May 8, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BARCELONA - Barcelona moved to within one point of its third straight Spanish league title by beating Espanyol 2-0 in Sunday's Catalan capital derby.

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Andres Iniesta opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the 29th, and Gerard Pique doubled the host's lead with his header three minutes after halftime.

Barcelona can clinch its 21st title with at least a draw at Levante on Wednesday. It leads second-place Real Madrid by eight points and holds the head-to-head advantage with three rounds to play.

"We knew we couldn't slip up," Iniesta said. "We have the (league crown) so close. We will now go to Valencia to earn (the title)."

Wrapping up the domestic competition early would also give Barcelona extra time to prepare for the Champions League final against Manchester United on May 28.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola only rested Carles Puyol despite his team coming off a grueling four-game series against Madrid that ended in the Catalan club eliminating its fierce rivals from the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday.

Without shining, Barcelona controlled possession throughout in an unusually subdued match between the crosstown rivals.

Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez tested goalkeeper Carlos Kameni with a shot in the 20th, and moments later Kameni dove to deflect a dipping strike from Iniesta.

Espanyol winger Jose Callejon broke free on right side in the 24th, and the Barcelona defense scrambled to clear his low cross for striker Pablo Osvaldo in the box.

Iniesta's goal was an individual effort as he cut back to shake his defender and shot past Kameni with a low right-footer.

"We had an excellent first half even though after the first goal we relaxed a little bit," Guardiola said. "But in global terms we played a great game against a team that always creates problems for us.

"The league (title) is very near and it only depends on us."

David Villa had a good chance to make it 2-0 about 10 minutes later after trademark passing buildup by Barcelona, but the Spain striker fired wide with only the keeper to beat.

Pique put the result beyond doubt when he beat his marker to reach Xavi Hernandez's corner at the near post.

"We tried our best but they were able to score," said Kameni, whose team is four points out of the Europa League positions. "It is difficult, but we will try until the end."

Eric Abidal came on Andreu Fontas in the 70th to make his second appearance since recovering from surgery to remove a liver tumor.

Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates his goal against Espanyol's goalkeeper Kameni during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona May 8, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]