Neymar and Lionel Messi were both on the scoresheet as Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby on Saturday.

Both goals came in the first period as the visitors stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Both sides finished with 10 men, with Jordi Alba seeing red for Barca early in the second period, before Hector Moreno was given his marching orders in stoppage time.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed.

ESPANYOL

Goal

Kiko Casilla: Could not do anything with either Barcelona goal and the Spaniard made some really good saves in the first period. Can be pretty pleased with his performance on a personal level. (6/10)

Defence

Anaitz Arbilla: Really struggled to cope with the constant movement of Barcelona in the first half and was the first Espanyol player to pick up a booking in the second period. (6/10)

Alvaro Gonzalez: Made a couple of crucial challenges, but was ultimately part of a back four that could have conceded five or six in the first period. A little bewildered at times. (6/10)

Hector Moreno: Has been linked with a number of clubs in recent games and put on a decent display. Did not complete the game, however, after picking up two yellow cards late on. (6/10)

Ruben Duarte: Has plenty of admirers following a breakthrough 2015 and like a number of his teammates, the Spaniard improved in the second half after a difficult first. (6/10)

Midfield

Abraham Gonzalez: Brought into the XI to provide a threat in a wide area, but the Spaniard really struggled to make his mark and was replaced early in the second period. (5/10)

Jose Canas: Did his best to make an impression in the middle of the park, but it was difficult without possession of the ball. Was booked for a poor challenge late on. (5/10)

Victor Alvarez: Had a decent chance in the first period, but fired high of the crossbar. Struggled to make his mark for long spells and was replaced in the 74th minute. (5/10)

Lucas Vasquez: Hardly featured in the first period, but had more of an influence in the second and should have cut the deficit late on. Could not help parent club Real Madrid. (6/10)

Attack

Sergio Garcia: So often Espanyol's go-to man. However, the forward could not provide against his former club here. Better in the second half, but still a disappointing afternoon. (6/10)

Felipe Caicedo: Was the one player in a blue and white shirt that threatened to cause Barcelona problems in the first period, but the striker faded after the break and was eventually replaced. (6/10)

Substitutes

Salva Sevilla: Showed bits and pieces in possession and helped cause problems late on with a couple of incisive passes. Will have been disappointed not to have started. (6/10)

Christian Stuani: Only given the final 20 minutes, but caused plenty of problems. Did not take any of his opportunities, but his presence unnerved the Barcelona defence. (6/10)

Paco Montanes: Given the final 15 minutes after replacing Alvarez, but the midfielder failed to make his mark during what was a frustrating afternoon for the hosts. (5/10)

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Had his feet up for much of the first period, but was called into action in the second and made a couple of really smart saves. Not a difficult afternoon for the Chilean. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Continues to be linked with a move away from the Catalan outfit, but continues to be selected. Not overly involved in the final third, but a solid afternoon overall. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Found Caicedo a tricky customer in the first period, but the centre-back was not really unnerved and made some crucial headers late on when the tempo increased. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Given the nod ahead of Jeremy Mathieu and the Argentine justified his selection with a strong performance. Showed composure in possession when needed. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Set up his side's first of the match with a super cross, but it proved to be a disappointing afternoon for the Spaniard after two yellows in quick succession in the second period. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Had his feet up in the first period as he left the work to the front three, but the midfielder was called into action in the second. Picked up a yellow for a poor challenge. (6/10)

Andres Iniesta: Has been criticised this season, but has showed signs of his best in recent games. Was excellent in mid-week and was also heavily involved in this one. (7/10)

Rafinha: Has seen plenty of minutes this season, but the midfielder is yet to really make his mark. So much ability in possession, but needs to have more of an influence. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Opened the scoring with a wonderful finish and remained a threat throughout the match. Should have scored more than once, but he gave the home defence absolute nightmares. (8/10)

Luis Suarez: Did not get his name on the scoresheet, but played a vital role in both Barca goals - dummying Alba's cross for the first, before setting up Messi for the second. (8/10)

Lionel Messi: Arguably in the best form of his career and he continued his strong run of form here. Demonstrated his exceptional range of passing and scored his side's second of the match. (8/10)

Substitutes

Jeremy Mathieu: Will have been disappointed not to have started, but the Frenchman did well to pick up the pace of the match when he slotted in at left-back for the final 25 minutes. (6/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Replaced Suarez in the 80th minute as Luis Enrique looked for more control in midfield and the Croatian retained possession when needed. (6/10)

Xavi: Only given the final two minutes. (5/10)