FC Barcelona - Kings of football!

Xavi, Pedro (2) and Messi (pen) scored all four goals in the first half hour. Tito Vilanova, who was operated on December 20th, was back in charge of the tea.

Vilanova sent out the same team he’d fielded against Levante and once again the team managed four goals in a single half.

Espanyol were more physical in the second half, attempting to cut off Barça’s possession football with a series of fouls that broke up the rhythm of the game, but the hosts soon found a way round that with some typical controlled passing.

It’s a Spanish tradition for the three kings to bring presents to mark Epiphany and the end of the festive season, but tonight it was the Barça players who once again showed themselves the Kings of Football, brushing aside local rivals Espanyol with a whirlwind first 30 minutes and handing their returning coach Tito Vilanova and the Camp Nou faithful a great New Year gift, as they chalked up their 11th straight La Liga win.

Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi, from La Masia to Zurich!

The team's number 8 and number 10, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, are in the running for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Andrés Iniesta and Leo Messi are two of the three finalists for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or which will be awarded this Monday in Zurich. Along with Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), the two FC Barcelona players will compete for the award reserved for the best player in the world. It’s worth noting that the Argentinian has won the last three editions of the award and Iniesta was named the Best Player of the EURO and the Best Player in Europe of the Year by UEFA.

FC Barcelona equal best ever first half of season vs Espanyol

The three points won today against Espanyol mean Barça have 52 points, the same amount that they got in their best ever first half of a season in 2010/1.
The records are still falling. The FC Barcelona first team just can’t stop winning and setting historic achievements. In 2010/11, FCB under Josep Guardiola got an incredible 52 points in the first half of the season. It seemed unlikely that we’d ever see a team get off to such a commanding start again, yet under Tito Vilanova, Barça have once again reached that mark after beating Espanyol, and still have one more game to go before the halfway stage.

Andrés Iniesta: “I play to be happy, not to win titles”

Iniesta says he feels “happy, strong and fast” and admits that he’s proud to be a Ballon d’Or finalist.
Andrés Iniesta is happy to be playing football at FC Barcelona. He adds that he “plays to be happy and not to win titles”.
He said: “My personal wish is to go out onto the pitch and then come home happy .. I feel strong happy, strong and fast.” On being nominated for the Ballon d’Or, he said “I am there, so I do have a chance. I don’t have to beg forgiveness for being there. I’m proud of it”.