Espanyol and Barcelona have played out a goalless first 45 minutes in La Liga this afternoon.

The Barcelona derby has included numerous fouls, multiple chances and even an argument between the managers, but the deadlock is yet to be broken after an exciting first half.

Barca began on the front foot but missed a host of chances in the opening 25 minutes.

Neymar headed wide after good work from Pedro before the Brazilian himself set up Lionel Messi, but he was denied by an excellent tackle from the defender.

Messi then headed over the bar from Xavi's cross before Neymar produced an incredible miss, firing over the bar from four yards after Daniel Alves had played the ball across the box.

Espanyol then thought that they had taken the lead when Jose Pinto failed to deal with a bouncing ball and appeared to carry it over the line, but nothing was given.

The hosts had a good chance moments later when Sergio Garcia found Pizzi in the box, but the Portuguese forward fired over the bar from a good position.

Neymar had another good chance before the end of the half, but it remains goalless at the break.