Espanyol snatches 1-1 draw against Barcelona

By Paul Logothetis

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Jan. 8 2012 3:47 p.m. MST

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FC Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas reacts after scoring against Espanyol during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at Cornella-El Prat stadium in Cornella Llobregat, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Manu Fernandez, Associated Press

Summary

Substitute Alvaro Vazquez headed home an 86th-minute equalizer as Espanyol held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw for the defending champions to slip five points behind Spanish leader Real Madrid.

BARCELONA, Spain — Substitute Alvaro Vazquez headed home an 86th-minute equalizer as Espanyol held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw for the defending champions to slip five points behind Spanish leader Real Madrid.

With Lionel Messi relatively anonymous in Barcelona's play, midfielder Cesc Fabregas continued his scoring ways by heading home Daniel Alves' cross to put Barcelona ahead after 16 minutes at the Cornella El-Prat stadium.

Barcelona looked certain to take three points as it controlled the city derby, but Thievy Fibouma flicked on Raul Rodriguez's cross for Vazquez to guide home the equalizer four minutes from time.

Gerard Pique hit the crossbar in the 90th as Barcelona pressed for the winner.

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