The first of seven (3-0)

FC Barcelona have won their first trophy of the new season as they defeated RCD Espanyol in the second leg of the Super Cup in Camp Nou with another strong performance and some stunning goals.

After winning the first encounter, Barça looked confident and were close to their best as they entertained the supporters in the first official home game of the new campaign. Frank Rijkaard's side dominated the match and were outstanding going forward as the attacking game was back in full swing. Barça are now ready to fight for their second piece of silverware when they meet Sevilla in the European Super Cup on Friday against Sevilla.

Four changes

The fact that Rijkaard chose to name four different players in the starting line-up from the first game between the two sides came as little surprise after he stated in the pre-match press conference that there would be changes. Albert Jorquera took over from Víctor Valdés in goal, Gio Van Bronvkhorst and Juliano Belletti returned as the full-backs and Leo Messi played on the right in place of Ludovic Giuly. The side was more offensive that the one that began at Montjuïc.

After only three minutes Barcelona doubled their aggregate advantage as Xavi Hernández broke into the penalty area and connected with a cross from Ronaldinho to head home the opening goal from 12 yards out. The goal blew the wind out of Espanyol's sails as they had hopes of causing an upset and changed several players in order to find a system to upset the Blaugrana. Former Barça midfielder Moha played on the left, Walter Pandiani was emplyed as the main striker, Sergio Sánchez marshalled the defence and Carlos Kameni replaced Gorka Iraizoz in goal.

Top quality

Having taken the lead, the home side produced some breath-taking football. The 57,000 inside the stadium enjoyed nearly half an hour of top quality attacking play, The fast movement of the ball, the one-touch passing and the slick interplay were all in evidence as Xavi and Deco controlled the centre of the field to ensure that Barça applied maximum pressure and the onslaught produced a second effort after 12 minutes.

Barça doubled their lead on the night when Belletti set off on a run down the right-hand side of the pitch before a fine inter-change with Xavi saw him speed past his market and send a low cross into the area where Deco connected to side-foot the ball past Kameni and into the net. It was a memorable effort that was equal to some of the best moves in the team's league and European success of last season. After 30 minutes Ronaldinho proved that he is back to his best as he was picked out on the far side of the are by Samuel Eto'o and the Brazilian flicked the ball past two defenders before clipping it past the keeper, but his effort rolled agonisingly wide of the far post. In the final 15 minutes of the opening period, the game settled down as the Blaugrana took their footof the pedal slightly.

Debuts for Thuram and Gudjohnsen

Rijkaard used the occasion to give Lilian Thuram and Eidur Gudjohnsen their home debuts, as the duo entered the fray in the second half in place of Rafa Márquez and Eto'o respectively. The Barça coach already had one eye on the European Super Cup at the end of the week and opted to give Eto'o a rest ahead of that encounter. The two debutants proved that they will be excellent additions to the squad as Thuram showed his strength on the floor and in the air at the heart of the defence, while Gudjohnsen looked lively at the front and, although he is more static than Eto'o, will offer a lot attacking the area from deep.

Deco on form

Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde made changes to his side as he introduced Luis García for Coro and Marc Torrejón for Jésus Maria Lacruz, but it did not stop Barça from putting the result beyond doubt. With 61 minutes on the clock Belletti clipped the ball into the area and Deco leapt into the air to produce a fine scissors kick and fire the ball into the bottom corner of Kameni's net. After appearing in the World Cup and missing some early pre-season training, Deco looked to be on top form as he stood out in midfield with attacking thrust pushing the side forward.

In the closing minutes of the game, Rijkaard brought on Andrés Iniesta for Thiago Motta. After going four goals ahead on aggregate, the final moments knew that they did not have to play at full tilt and after the whistle had blown the players received the cup and paraded it on a lap of honour in front of the fans.

Stats on Barca's side

Barca and Espanyol have never me before in a Spanish Super Cup clash at the Nou Camp, but the stats certainly give the home team the edge in head to heads between the two Barcelona neighbours.

The eighty-eight times that Barca and Espanyol have met at the Nou Camp, in Spanish League and Cup games, as well as the Fairs Cup, have seen just 11 wins for the visitors, the last being on 28th March 1982, when Barca lost 1-3 in the league. Only 9 of the results would be enough to give Espanyol the trophy if they were repeated.

League and Cup

Of the seventy-two league meetings between the two at the Nou Camp, Barca have won 57, losing 8 times, only two of the defeat would be enough to see Espanyol win the Super Cup if repeated, whilst two would be enough for a draw. Of the fifteen cup clashes, Barca have only lost three times –in 1939-40 season when Espanyol won 0-2 in the quarter finals, a year later when Barc lost 1-2 and finally a 2-3 win in the 60-61 season.

European clash

Barça and Espanyol also met once in Europe- in the 1965 Fairs Cup quarter finals when Barca won 1-0, a result they repeated in the return leg, before going o to take the title.