Espanyol ends Barcelona's unbeaten run in Copa del Rey
Quique Sanchez Flores got the best of Ernesto Valverde.
RCD Espanyol beat Barcelona 1-0 in the first leg of their tie in the Copa del Rey's quarter-finals, ending the Blaugrana's run after the Catalan club failed to lose in 29 games in all competitions. Wednesday's match also marked the first time that Los Periquitos won the derby since February 2009.
Lionel Messi was denied from the penalty spot as Diego Lopez made a strong one-handed save in the 62nd minute, paving the way for Oscar Melendo's first goal at Espanyol. The Spanish midfielder entered the game as a substitute and completed a wonderful passing sequence in the 88th minute by one-timing the ball past Jasper Cillessen.
Barcelona's last defeat came way back in August, when Real Madrid defeated the Blaugrana 2-0 in the second leg of their tie in the Supercopa de Espana for a 5-1 victory on aggregate.
Flores was reportedly Stoke City's preferred choice to replace Mark Hughes as manager, but the Potters appointed Paul Lambert on Monday.