Only the most ardent of Espanyol supporters must have dared to dream a comeback was on the cards when Pablo Daniel Osvaldo had the temerity to score against Catalan derby rivals Barcelona on Saturday (8/15 Barcelona – La Liga outright).

The dominance of Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad means such clutching of straws is now commonplace when L’equip blaugrana are in town.

It is also worth pointing out that Barca were 3-0 up by the time the Buenos Aires-born striker found the net – and David Villa scored two more to seal an emphatic 5-1 away victory.

The Camp Nou boss has suggested this was to be the most difficult La Liga match remaining this season – he need not have lost any sleep.

His players proved unequivocally at Estadi Cornella-El Prat that they are the most formidable fusion of guile and graft in world football right now.

The end product is mesmerising but the work done behind the glitz and glare of the cameras must not be underestimated here because the facts laid bare are simply frightening.

This was the fifth time Barcelona have scored five goals. They have now got 51 after just 16 weeks. They have won 10 on the trot and racked up an eighth win out of eight away. They have dropped points just twice – against Mallorca and Hercules – to boast the best record in history at this stage. They will finish 2010 with a record 103 points in the calendar year.

For all their attacking prowess Barcelona have added a resilience and dogged determination at the back. They have conceded just 12 goals in all competitions since the first whistle was blown this season.

Let us not forget Lionel Messi. The Argentina superstar has scored 58 goals in 53 games – the highest total ever.

Jose Mourinho, perhaps in desperation, perhaps in awe, attempted to get Real Madrid supporters onside when he suggested his side’s bad-tempered win over Sevilla “will be very frustrating for those who wanted us to lag four or five points behind Barcelona”.

The street-wise Portuguese coach witnessed first-hand the destruction Barca can cause when his side were crushed 5-0 at the end of November, so shouting from afar is unlikely to ruffle Guardiola (11/8 Real Madrid – La Liga outright).

It seems only tired legs and minds can stop Barca from retaining their Spanish crown – and the rest of us can just enjoy the ride.

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