LIGA - Xavi debut match sees Barca edge past Espanyol with a lone goal

On Saturday, Xavi Hernandez got off to a winning start as Barcelona coach, defeating local rivals Espanyol 1-0 in La Liga thanks to a controversial Memphis Depay penalty.

Depay's goal early in the second half insured Xavi's triumphant return to Camp Nou, but it was a nerve-wracking one that left him with no doubts about the severity of the task ahead.

Raul de Tomas hit the post twice late on as Espanyol squandered a flurry of late chances that should have earned them a point in a game Barca dominated for an hour and then almost let slip away from them.

However, results must come swiftly, and this one moves Xavi's side up to sixth place, six points behind Atletico Madrid, who needed a late Felipe header to beat Osasuna 1-0 at home after Sevilla were beaten to a 2-2 draw by Alaves.