Controversial penalty gives Barca derby win

A highly questionable penalty in the 38th minute allowed FC Barcelona to beat neighbors Espanyol in the Barcelona derby and maintain its lead at the top of Spain's La Liga, Xinhua reported.
   Referee Iturralde Gonzalez decided that Xavi Hernandez's fall in the Espanyol area was a penalty and Zlatan Ibrahimovich made no mistake from the penalty spot as the game looked to be going into the break with the scores level.
   Television replays showed that there had been minimal, if any contact with Espanyol defender Baena, before Xavi went down and that Iturralde probably got the decision wrong.
   Until the decision Espanyol had been withstanding the attacks of the league leaders.
   Barcelona had begun strongly, but after both Thierry Henry and Pedro Rodriguez had missed chances, the visitors from across town tightened up defense is spite of Barca's dominant possession.
   Barcelona was missing the magic of Leo Messi, who was sidelined with a twisted ankle. Both sides were clearly fired up with Espanyol needing points to stop a slide down towards the relegation zone.
   Barca were playing the last league match before flying out to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola's men were also out for revenge for the defeat they suffered in the fixture last season.
   Verdu had the visitor's best chance, but Victor Valdes saved the shot for the former Barcelona youngster.
   The second half saw Espanyol come out looking to avenge what they clearly saw as an injustice, although Barca had the best of the opening stages and Dani Alves almost set up a second for his side.
   With the passing of time Espanyol got increasingly into the match and began to force Barcelona into the defense.
   Espanyol has not scored in its last three games and although Barcelona was suffering, the visitors were unable to create clear cut chances and Barca were able to hold on with only a handful of nervous moments.
   A home win was probably the fair result, but the way it was achieved will no doubt cause debate in the city for many days to come.