Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has refused to be downbeat despite his side dropping two points by drawing their local derby at Espanyol 1-1.

 

The match was a controversial affair after the ball appeared to clearly strike Espanyol player Raul Rodriguez on the hand in the penalty area in the 87th minute.

 

The referee however did not award a penalty or even see the incident.

 

And Rodriguez admitted it had struck him on the hand, insisting: "The ball hit me on the hand, but I’m not the referee."

 

With Real Madrid easing to a comfortable 5-1 home win over Granada, Barcelona’s dropped points put the Catalans five points behind Los Blancos – and this despite having won the first El Clasico.

 

But Guardiola was refusing to think negatively post match.

 

"It’s a great league, and there are many points, although we know that the distance is important because we have a rival with an impeccable record.

 

"In football you have to overcome things. We must look at what we can improve.

 

"In the second half I liked almost everything, but there wasn’t much presence in the area."

 

Latest Features: