Sergio Sanchez grabbed a point for the Barcelona side just before the hour mark after Manu had put the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half.

The draw represents the first points Espanyol have dropped this season, but their haul of seven points from three games sees them top the pile overnight Saturday - a point clear of Atletico Madrid.

Atletico striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored a brace against former club Recreativo Huelva as Los Rojiblancos romped to a third successive 4-0 home win in Saturday's other match.

The absence of injured frontman Diego Forlan was all but forgotten in the seventh minute, when Sergio Aguero opened the scoring.

Maniche doubled the lead shortly after the interval before Sinama-Pongolle added gloss to the scoreline with goals after 78 and 89 minutes to secure the points.

The bulk of the weekend Primera Liga action takes place on Sunday, including Real Madrid's visit to Racing Santander, Barcelona's clash at Sporting Gijon and the derby match between Real Betis and Sevilla.